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My Lord My Prince Ch. 01

By: poshbillionaire



Prince Hammand was going to the slave market. He had long since perfected the art of choosing the right slaves for the right task and his mother the Queen now always sought him for such matters. It was also his chance to get out of the palace howbeit for a short time as time tended to go by at a horribly slow pace when you were a prince with responsibilities that were few and far between. 

Today his mother wanted a woman or maiden who would wash and massage her feet for her usual maiden had burnt her hands in the kitchen most unfortunately and no longer had the smooth soothing texture she was accustomed to.

He walked in a make shift cocoon of human beings, his guards surrounding him closely and his adviser by his side. He hated it for could hardly see a thing when he went out, unless it was a far distance and they used the horses. This time they did not, but he was not too put out for he knew at the market the guards would have to step back and then he could breathe some of the air of normalcy for once among the people. 

He was young, turning 24 in a few months time but looked years younger owing to his small delicately proportioned frame. He stood at almost 5"2 inches tall barefoot, delicately slim and had the palest skin which was made more so by his dark curly shoulder length hair. All this, in addition to the beauty of those small pink pouty plush lips, thick dark eyebrows laced over large expressive sea blue eyes and the little cute nose on a heart shaped face all from his beautiful mother, added to made him look like a maiden.

And as he stepped into the slave market, with the guards falling behind automatically, this was how he appeared to the tall muscular man at the far end of the large busy compound. 

"Beautiful woman here, we call her Hemina...which means heaven," a slave trader called out from one end of the compound. There was loud cackling laughter as the trader continued as he thumbed a downcast half dressed beautiful woman. "For the heights she will take you to if you just give her a try...look at these breasts...buy her and your house will never be the same again."

So the auction went, the prodding and pulling, the stares from the crowd as they sought different slaves for different tasks. Offers were made, haggling at the highest level and money slapping into hands, dirty hands. The prince found what he wanted in no time, a woman who had served as a masseuse in her own land. Though fat and matronly, she looked cultured and could also make a good companion for his mother as well without being a threat of being more beautiful than her. The Queen could be very vain after all.

As he had found her quite fast, he decided to walk around some more and see if he could find a small boy to help the stable master with the new horses his father had just purchased. Two birds with one stone, his father would be pleased if he heard.

People automatically gave way for Prince Hammand as he came through the market; he was well liked by the people so this was done heartily and with respect. As he searched for his specifications his eyes came upon the most divine specimen of a man he had ever seen in his life. 

He stood boldly on the podium, looking straight ahead through the deepest green eyes at Prince Hammand, his face set and regal in its handsomeness. It was hard to believe he was a slave, he looked like a king, so tall, easily more than double his own height and powerfully built like a stallion, his muscles shining in the sunshine and oiled by his master for maximum effect it appeared. All he had on was a loincloth over his genitals and even that didn't hide much. The prince felt a strange pull in his loins he had never felt before.

Prince Hammand jumped as the eyes met his stare proudly, the handsome head slowly tilted to the side as he absorbed the expression on the prince's face. There was no subservient look in his eyes as was the norm with slaves, he did not avert his gaze either but stared hard, his green eyes showing their appreciation for what they gazed upon. He held the prince's stare for a long time, till after a very subtle nudge from Shetna his adviser, Prince Hammond came to his senses and looked away shyly.

He gulped in embarrassment and whispered in Shetna's ear, his voice calm yet breathless.

"Buy him."

He didn't need to point, Shetna knew whom his prince meant, he had seen the stares they had shared and did not like it, though not for the obvious reason. There was already talk about this magnificent slave of Bakat the slave master, that his hands and feet were too smooth to be that of a common man, his skin too supple. He was not someone who had done any work except possibly that of a warrior due to his build. He was dangerous; everyone knew the cost of keeping a royal or noble man as a slave.

"My prince...I am not sure..." he began hesitantly.

"Buy him," Prince Hammand repeated, seemingly holding his breath.

Shetna moved into the crowd and hurried towards the trader that owned the magnificent slave. After a discussion, he went closer to the slave and began to check his limbs to confirm the stories. Prince Hammand didn't care about whatever the stories were he knew but it was worth a try.

He rushed back to the prince, looking a bit grave. "My prince, I have felt his limbs for myself, he most surely is of royal or at the least noble blood. It would be dangerous to have him in the royal household. It is even worse that he has lost his memory from when he was taken so we cannot even check out his background to his own land to safeguard from any repercussions. You know the law my prince..."

"Exactly, I know the law so I don't need you to tell me what it is do I? I don't care Shetna. Buy him" the prince's stare was hard and determined "Buy him now, or shall I do it myself?"

Shetna's shoulders dropped in defeat, a bowed head showing his apology. "What is the highest price we will go for him my prince?"

The look the prince gave him was enough to send him scrambling back to the slave master. It appeared the price was of no essence for this slave. Now it was up to the adviser to haggle with the slave master, so long as he got the slave in the end the price for him did not matter one bit to Prince Hammand.

Prince Hammand could not seem to stop turning to stare at the man, even as he walked further away to find the stable boy he wanted. The slave seemed to feel the same pull for he too kept looking at the prince too, though pretty subtle his gaze so raw and intense that the prince blushed and looked away each time only to be unable to stop himself and get caught looking again.

It was an exhausting experience for the prince for he had never been drawn to someone man or maiden in this way before and no one had ever even told him anything about such feelings as being drawn to a man. He was sure that it was not right. Anyway, he thought cheerily, pushing the building shame out of his head, he would keep him as a friend, nothing more; he needed a companion after all. Moments later he found the young slave boy he was happy to make do with and payments were made with arrangements to have all the three slaves brought to the palace by evening time.

Asgar followed his movements as subtly as he could to avoid drawing the attention of his slave master. He had never seen anyone as beautiful as this maiden. With those large eyes, so shy and innocent in their gaze and longing...for him he wondered? 

Mmh, he could just imagine nipping at that long graceful neck, lifting up that small slim body most definitely as light as a feather, the skin underneath most definitely paler than the glorious face; lifting up that small body by the little buttocks, buttocks most definitely small enough to fit right in his hands, small enough to be gripped completely while he plowed that little... 

He stopped suddenly in mid thought and stiffened, blinking rapidly in disbelief before shielding his expression in a split second so the only emotion he exerted was the vein bulging in his thick neck.

The maiden had come closer to his slave master's section. It was such a shock to realize the beautiful creature was not a maiden, as he had believed. It was a young man. A young man God help him. It was even more a shock that this knowledge still did not repel him in the slightest. It shocked his mind but came nowhere close to affecting his body, he felt the attraction continue to pull at him even as he tried to reject it. 

He did not love men. He knew he did not.

Despite this Asgar continued to stare as the beautiful creature disappeared into a crowd of guards once he reached the gate. He gasped for air as the beauty went out of sight for he had stopped breathing without realizing it.

Royalty. 

No wonder.

He wondered what he was in his past life as he did a million times in a day. The only thing he knew was his name, which had been on the inside of a necklace that had been read out loud by a sniggering looter as it was snatched from his neck. To my son, Asgar, it had said. He wondered now if he had liked beautiful creatures such as that one who had kept looking shyly at him. It was hard to think of a man being that ethereal but he was. If only...

All through the journey from the initial slavers who had taken him to the trader who bought him last and brought him to this market, he had seen lots of men, good looking men. But he had felt no inclination towards them. The maidens had drawn his attention, but never the men.

Which was why he was surprised at himself. He found himself wishing he could speak to him, know his name at least, before he disappeared for good...and he raged at himself for that. This whole slave thing was messing up with his mind; he wished he could at least remember something of his past life. 

His slave master told him he had been bought and would be going over tonight. He asked what work he was to do...the master of course was no help, said he had no idea but Asgar had better do what he was told if he wanted to live. He had been told on his journey there that for someone like him, of his imposing height and stature who also did not appear to have done any menial work in his life except maybe fight if at all, he may be taken as a guard or a gladiator. This was what he prepared himself for. 

An alpha man he was after all. He knew that much, if nothing else.

**********

Asgar waited impatiently in the plush chamber, wondering for the umpteenth time if he was in the right place. The room was in the heart of the palace, large and covered wall to wall with expensive padded satiny fabric in bright red. There were large couches at each end of the walls and they were littered with cushions. Matching gold cushions, though much larger were scattered deliberately on the carpeted floor. It was a beautiful place by all standards.

He had been told to sit and wait. He had done that.

Now he was pacing round the room.

Something had been nagging at him since he had realized that it was to the palace that he was being taken. It was about three hours since they had arrived and the other two had been taken elsewhere. 

He had been given full access to a private bathroom to have a thorough bath which he was extremely thankful for after the weeks on the road with only a bowl of water to clean himself with and he was presented with a nice dark brown caftan and slippers to wear and then a bundle of what were to be his clothes from now on, similar clothes to that which he was wearing now, all miraculously his exact size. 

It seemed his owner worked fast and did not seem to care about cost for the clothes seemed to be of quite expensive fabric. He knew instinctively that this was not what gladiators wore, much less guards. So his puzzlement increased with the question...what was he here for?

Don't get him wrong; it was not that he wanted to be a guard or a gladiator. He just knew that there were some jobs that were much better than others. Waiting like this in this kind of fancy place did not bode well in his mind for he knew some jobs could be degrading to say the least, he knew that much, after all he had....

Asgar lost the thought and groaned inwardly. His memory was still out of his reach.

Had he kept slaves of his own?

He was still deep in thought when Prince Hammand stepped in the room, signaling to his guards to stay outside. The small prince was late; he had been waiting for himself to calm down before he entered the slave's presence. All evening he had waited, to no avail. He only got more agitated and finally decided to face him, however nervous he may be. He was so nervous that he was shaking, his hands so bad that he had to hold them tightly behind him. 

He gulped as he saw the tall man who now looked even more massive and resplendent than he remembered now that he was dressed nicely. It was his deep breath that brought Asgar out of his thoughts.

He watched the man absorb his presence and his countenance change, irrational anger creeping into the green eyes. Hammand took a small step back unconsciously.

"You."

He stared at the prince, his head tilting slightly to the side but this time in a calculating look as he strode forward purposefully and menacingly. 

"You."

A mad senseless anger filled Asgar's head and shook his huge frame right down his body to his toes.

"You bought me." 

It was like an accusation. Prince Hammond stepped back again but had to keep moving for Asgar kept coming at him till he was crushed against the cushioned wall. Asgar bent over the small figure that was avoiding his eyes, casting a shadow over him and making the prince even more nervous. He wondered if he should call for help.

"What did you buy me for?" he asked in a whisper, the sound surprising the prince for he had expected a shout from the menace he had seen in those eyes. He shivered involuntarily and his fingers gripped at the fabric on the wall behind him. His heart was running a marathon and he couldn't bring himself to speak for some reason.

Asgar tried again. He pressed his face closer to the prince's, pleased at the panicked breaths the prince was taking. Their eyes met and held, Prince Hammand's wide with fright and growing discomfort.

"What. Did. You. Buy. Me. For."

Prince Hammand fought the need to squirm from this close contact. He had never been this close to a man before and it was scaring him in a strange way. In the strongest voice he could muster, he spoke at last. "To...to be my...companion, my friend..."

Asgar stared at him in disbelief and even more anger if that was possible. "Your companion? Your friend? Do I look like anyone's companion to you? Do I?"

The prince realized Asgar was waiting for an answer," I don't know...I just thought we could be friends..."

"Friends...right. So you love men?" Prince Hammand frowned, clearly not understanding. "So you fuck men?" Asgar tried again. 

The prince frowned even more, asking, "What does 'fuck' mean?"

At those words, like the instantaneous disappearance of a popped balloon, all of Asgar's anger deflated and he was left feeling a bit foolish. Good Lord, the young beauty really was as innocent as he looked. And he must have just frightened the life out of him. 

Asgar immediately stepped out of the prince's personal space, unable to help his amusement at the relieved look on the prince's face. His small chest was still heaving though and he trembled.

"So what happens now?"

"What do you mean?" The prince was panting like he had been running a marathon.

"You bought me. I am here, now what."

The prince swallowed at the sensible question, he really had not thought this through well at all. All that had filled his mind at the time was that he wanted this man. Now he had no idea what to do God help him.

"It is late...you have been fed?" he asked tentatively, eyes apologetic for no reason and above all still delightfully shy and hesitant.

"Yes I have"

"It is time to retire now. You may go to sleep" he started to walk away, towards his inner rooms.

"Sleep where?"

Prince Hammand stopped, hesitant at this next issue especially with the man's reaction to being bought by him. He was so forceful and proud, it really was beginning to seem like Shetna was right. He may just be royalty, I mean, he even sounded a bit like his father Chief Bani, like someone who always got what he wanted. Oh dear.

"You will sleep in my bedchamber. Come, I will show you."

Asgar followed him without question. They walked through a hidden door in the fabric covered wall and into a long busy corridor with large mural sized paintings most likely of royal ancestors covering majority of the walls along the length of it. A few people bustled about as they passed, the maidens sizing him up with undisguised interest once they went past the prince's line of vision. Asgar laughed to himself, he was used to getting lots of attention from women. He believed he had had this all of his adult life, not that he could recall any specifics. 

This was normal. 

Not what he was feeling for the little creature walking in front of him, not this strange force that seemed to keep drawing him to the prince since the moment he set eyes on him. The intense attraction angered him greatly and that he could do nothing to shake it off was even more aggravating and torturous. 

He was a strong able man; he should have been able to remove such thoughts from his system with ease. But he found he could not, for even as he walked behind Prince Hammand he could feel the same almost hypnotic pull, not just in his loins though it was very alive there but in his chest and his head like a warm fountain cascading into a river and flowing back up again and again. 

He forced his eyes to remain on the prince's curly dark head of hair and not stray down to the little buttocks that curved against the shiny caftan as he walked. Unconsciously he increased his pace, so he was really close behind the smaller man. The prince sensed this proximity and his heart quickened. He walked faster.

They went through a good number of richly designed rooms before finally entering into an even larger room this time, obviously the prince's bedroom itself. It was brightly lit by three evenly spaced golden chandeliers and had curtains that stretched from the top of the high walls to the floor. The bed was a dark mahogany on thick gold legs, almost black in its rich darkness and unexpectedly enormous; covered entirely in plush satin sheets and thick pillows. It filled the far end of the room and was shaded with slightly transparent black fabric, which surrounded it completely and hung from darkened gold pillars. It looked so dark and inviting in its endlessness. The rest of the room was furnished similarly, all very dark and masculine but with a soft luxurious edge all round.

But the small prince gestured towards the long cushion at the foot of the bed with blankets heaped on top of it. It was similarly designed as the bed, all dark gold and mahogany and plush. Asgar stared at it for a while then laughed out loud in further disbelief and stepped in front of the bewildered prince, invading his space once again. His laughter disappeared once he had those big blue eyes on him.

"I will not sleep at your feet," Asgar was trying to control his rage. 

He really was doing his best.

"What's wrong with sleeping at my feet? Many will give their heads just to..." The handsome head bent low over him and he gulped down the rest of his words in fright. A long thick finger pressed against his lips and the tip of his nose, shutting him up. His eyes widened.

"Do not say that to me...I am not many people...and I will not sleep at your feet. Do you understand that? I refuse to sleep there." He waited till he got a tense nod from the prince and then he dropped his finger. 


My Lord My Prince Ch. 01



"Where do the other servants sleep? There must be a servant's quarters..."

"No!"

The vehemence in the prince's refusal amused Asgar and as was beginning to be the case diffused his anger somewhat dramatically. The young prince turned away in embarrassment, his pale skin going a bright red. Asgar had to fight to keep his lips from twitching up into a smile.

"So where shall I sleep then if I can't sleep at your feet and I am not allowed to sleep with the servants like I should."

Prince Hammand's eyes flashed round the room in desperation and threatened to spill the tears that were filling them. He did not know why he felt like crying, he just did. He turned his head a bit to the side so Asgar could not see his face, keeping his face towards his bed and breathing hard to calm himself and try to think straight. To think of a solution.

His bed.

His mother and father would kill him. His sisters and brothers would kill him. 

Everyone would kill him.

He did not care.

"My bed..."

"You want me to share your bed? Is that so...what, sleep right down against your feet?" he replied in amusement as he walked towards the bed to have a proper look at it. It was big even for him and he was a huge man. 

All of a sudden he could just imagine the little prince curled up in the middle of that bed; almost lost in the vast expanse of those satiny sheets with his hair all over the place, his naked flesh glowing bright and shiny in its paleness against the black sheets and glistening with sweat; face lying back weakly but all dreamy and sated after he had filled him up again and again with his...

Asgar cringed and tensed as the unstoppable thoughts swept through his mind, refusing to be withheld. He was glad the prince was behind him, so his turmoil was not witnessed.

"No, just sleep in it. That is beside me, not at my feet. At least till...until we decide where else you can sleep...is that okay with you?"

"Is that even allowed? A mighty prince having a lowly slave sleep with him in his bed? I most seriously doubt that..." He said this mockingly in amusement and turned his head slightly to look at Prince Hammand. His smile was one sided, making him look even more handsome than he already looked in the prince's eyes. His words struck a nerve though; the prince was confused at his actions and the new feelings for this man that caused them.

"It is no one's business, I am Prince Hammand. Besides, it's temporary, just until we decide where else would be suitable for you...also, we have to keep this to ourselves. You can't tell anyone about this; no one can be trusted with this kind of information. Is that okay?"

Asgar looked at the bed; oh he liked the bed, he liked it very much. It was big and welcoming and it had been so long since he had slept in such...wait a minute? 

Was it possible that he had slept in this kind of luxury that he was thinking like this?

"Is that okay with you?"

He turned to face the prince fully, ready with a stinging retort. Then he saw the brimming eyes and his reply was swallowed with a gulp. Three short steps took him to the small man and he held his small tense arms, just stopping himself in time from wrapping his arms round the small frame, as he had instinctively wanted to do for some reason. He gently turned Prince Hammand over to the bed and pulled him down to sit beside him, a large arm going round his shoulder and enveloping him snugly.

"Yes, it's okay with me. The bed will do fine thank you."

He knew he had frightened the poor beauty somehow. He probably thought the bed was not acceptable to him either. Him and his big mouth. Damn it, his mother had always warned him about his sharp tongue, especially when he was trying to court those daughters of each of his father's...his father's what? He winced at the escaped train of thought and returned back to the present.

"I am Asgar, what's your name."

"I am Hammand...Prince...Hammand, son of Chief Manz of Renadi."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty four in seven full moons."

"You look a lot younger than that..."

"I know..." 

The exasperation in that soft raspy voice shut Asgar up. It was obvious he got that a lot from people because of his small size no less. Well that was exactly one of the things that so appealed to Asgar if he was honest. He could just carry that small body and throw him over his shoulder whenever he felt like it; drag him to their bed and – 

"What about you? How old are you?" 

Brought back to the present and inwardly cursing his rotten mind, Asgar raised his eyebrows at the question and the prince in understanding began to apologize "I'm sorry, I forgot. I was told you lost your memory sometime ago. How did it happen? Do you remember anything about what happened?"

Asgar shrugged "Not a lot unfortunately. I believe I must have been hit on the head when I was attacked. I have no idea if it was by the slave traders initially. When I came to, the only thing I could remember was that someone had hit me and nothing else. Not even my name. All my clothes were gone, stolen I believe. Luckily a twine necklace I still surprisingly had on helped with that. This will always be a reminder." 

His hand subconsciously went to the scar on the left side of his face at the memory. It looked almost exactly like the number seven.

"Can I touch it?" the prince whispered in earnest.

"Sure," Asgar said. 

Many other people had touched it before so he was used to the curiosity. He soon realized that the small prince was not other people for when his small fingers touched the top of the scar and trailed down the jagged length of it a massive shiver zitted down Asgar's spine and straight into his loins. The fingers went back up in tender fascination and trailed back again, oblivious of the effect this had on the bulky man who had stiffened and was gripping the sheets into tight fists.

After a while he couldn't take it anymore and he ripped the small hand off his head, his face bending involuntarily into that hand so that when he pulled it down Prince Hammand's palm brushed against his lips.

The prince had no such practiced restraint and as such was unable to hold back the loud gasp at the fire the contact with those lips sent down to his belly. He pulled his hand away and cradled it with the other against his chest, the unexpected action taking Asgar's hand as well so it was crushed against his small heaving chest. He bent over in embarrassment, hiding his face. They were both heaving breathlessly. 

Asgar reached out and using his left hand began to slowly pry his right out of Hammand's grip. The prince realized his hold on Asgar's hand as it busied on his chest and loosened his grip on it. His hair fell forward on his face as he raised it up, framing it in a beautiful halo and taking Asgar's breath away. Large hands cupped the heart shaped face and turned it up to face his. 

Blue eyes blinking shy and confused yet filled with raw innocent desire; Asgar's thumbs trailed the small pouty lips that lay slightly open and quivering. That mouth, God that mouth. Just one taste and he would never again...

"Your bath is ready, my prince!" Came a call from behind the door, as loud as it was soft. 

It jerked both of them out of their world and the large hands dropped without ceremony. Asgar stood up and went across the room over to the window, whipping it open and gasping for air. What had he been about to do...ravish a man? A man?

He knew he needed to get his memory back and hopefully get out of this place before he did something he would regret. He could be married for god's sake!

Prince Hammand was overwhelmed to say the least. He felt such a pull to this man that he was afraid. The man seemed able to make him do things without thinking, which was very dangerous. He remembered that his mother had always described this direction of emotions towards another as love...could it be...this soon? And a man? A slave? 

He knew couldn't tell anyone about this just yet, if at all. He would wait and see how it went first. There was no need to stir the hornet's nest too soon. And he knew the nest would be seriously stirred if anything of this sort came out to his mother's ears.

He giggled to himself at the thought that he was letting Asgar sleep in bed tonight. God, he was in so much trouble.

When he had left the room for his bath, Asgar quietly changed into sleepwear, after searching through what was what among the clothes in the bundle. He realized that it was possible his memory loss was such that all he needed was to see something or someone he knew from his past life and he would remember. He hoped this was so. There was however not much chance such a thing happening because he obviously was not from this land and obviously not going anywhere if he was to just be a companion.

He tried not to let his anger build at the thought of this position. Unfortunately, that was when the small prince came back in, smelling delicious and cutely dressed in similar but obviously more expensive sleepwear. His hair was damp and hung at his shoulders, still he looked beautiful. Still obviously scared of Asgar though but so endearingly beautiful.

"You're still awake?" the prince was apprehensive at finding Asgar still up.

"Am I permitted to sleep when you are awake?" Asgar was teasing but the prince didn't know that. He looked a bit stricken. Damn.

"You don't have to do that...I'm sorry, I should have said..."

"I thought your companion would have the task of putting you to bed at night..." Asgar continued standing up slowly from the bed and approaching Prince Hammand. The prince frowned, confused.

"What do you mean?" 

Before the prince understood what he was about to do, Asgar was upon him, strong hands sliding behind his back and shoulders, winding round his small waist and swinging him up into his arms like a baby. He stiffened and gasped in utter shock, not just at being carried without warning (that had never happened to him before), but also at the realization that he liked the feel of these large hands on his body. He found he somehow wanted to give himself to this man. He had no idea how or why, but he did. This was like an abomination was it not???

He began to struggle crazily, hitting at a surprised Asgar and scratching till he drew blood. Asgar grabbed the small hands and held them down with little effort, then dumped him on the bed and held him there with his weight. Well some of it.

Both chests were heaving in unison, the prince's eyes were brimming all over again. Asgar was concerned at this and let go of Prince Hammand's hands.

"I didn't mean to scare you...my prince." Asgar had no idea why he said that, it just felt right.

The way he said his title was with such softness that the tears that had been building in Prince Hammand burst forth and his small delicate hands covered his face. Asgar felt even worse now, he needed to stop scaring the poor boy. He lifted the crying form into his arms and moved fully onto the bed. He lay him down gently on his side and settled down beside him, an arm going around the small waist gently holding him against his chest after he had gathered the bed covers over them.

"I'm sorry, my prince, I didn't mean to," he continued whispering on and on as he stroked the prince's drying hair. The sobs reduced to sniffs and Asgar kept on with the soothing. He didn't stop until the smaller man was finally fast asleep, his breathing low and steady.

Asgar lay there for a while, inhaling the prince's smell and wondering what sharp turn his life was taking that he suddenly felt so tender towards this little beauty. He had shocked himself at how good it felt to say 'my prince' for he knew meant it in a different context entirely from what the formal name really was for. 

It was as if he wanted this prince for himself, to belong to him? He began to fall asleep with these thoughts in his head, wondering what his mother would say, starting to think she wouldn't mind...then remembering that he couldn't remember her anymore. He laughed at his half thoughts as he drifted off and couldn't resist kissing the pale exposed skin of the prince's neck before his eyes drooped completely and closed.

***********

By the time Hammand woke up the next morning, Asgar was already up and dressed. He was seated on the long cushion at the foot of the bed and watching him intently with his head tilted slightly to the side. At first when Hammand stared into those hypnotic eyes he thought he was dreaming and just stared dazedly.

That is till Asgar coughed not too subtly in order to push away the urge that was overtaking him and threatening to pull him to the beautiful prone man in those silken sheets, looking just like his thoughts had played out to him last night, except he didn't look like he had been ravished already by him; he looked as if he was waiting to be ravished. Waiting to be ravished by him alone.

At the cough Hammand's clouded eyes cleared in an instant. He cringed in embarrassment and stretched without thinking, the action so graceful in Asgar's sight. The small man made to sit up, slowly dragging his body upright and rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"Good morning...my prince." The prince did not miss the sarcasm despite not looking up. He mumbled a reply and quietly made his way off the bed.

"Your bath is ready...my prince."

Prince Hammand looked up this time, freezing at the side of the bed in surprise that Asgar had anything to do with his bathing routine. "What do you mean my bath is ready? How do you know about that?"

"I helped get it ready...my prince."

His title was beginning to seem like an insult all of a sudden and he didn't like it. What was wrong with Asgar anyway? He had never asked him to call him that. He had hoped after he held him and apologized last night that everything had worked out well but it now seemed like that was a one off. Asgar had probably just been soothing him for the moment. It now seemed that all his anger was back again. Hammand really did not need this so early in the morning and his scowl was very clear.

"That's not your job..."

"Then what is my job? I really would like to know what my capacity in this palace is, after all you could not have just bought another human being on a whim now could you?"

Prince Hammand winced for Asgar was right in every way, he had done just that. He could feel the anger in Asgar's stare and he hung his head, lost for words.

"I might not have my memory, but I most definitely know that I was not and am not some pet. You will find some use for me, my prince...or I will – "

"You will what?" Hammand looked up in frustration, suddenly feeling a draft and wrapping his arms round himself. He gulped in terror as the huge man stepped slowly towards him, his face almost wild with contained rage.

Asgar stood right in front of him for a second, then leaned down, slowly gripped Hammand's arms and lifted him high up till he was standing on his bed and they were face to face, wide frightened eyes meeting his, mouth still half open after his shocked gasp at being lifted. 

For the second time now. It looked like this was going to be a bad habit of this slave of his. It was funny that the prince never for a minute questioned that he was letting a mere slave get away with taking advantage of him in this way rather than calling out for help and having him punished by torture and even beheaded. It didn't even cross his mind at all. He simply accepted this was the way it was between them.

It was also funny that Asgar, from the moment he had set eyes on his owner had never given a thought to the possibility that his actions towards the small prince could get him in a great deal of trouble. He may have lost his memory but even then in his recently built memories he knew exactly what happened to slaves of any rank who were charged with such insubordination. It had been drilled into all of them in the slave camp where he was initially held before the slave master that brought him to Renadi had bought him. 

So he knew that what he was doing now would get him killed without question if Prince Hammand so much as called out in fear. He knew that if that happened he would never even survive the trip to the dungeons but be probably beheaded there and then on discovery.

For some reason he didn't care and anyway it seemed he couldn't stop himself.

"Or I will find some use for myself..."

"I am your prince...I am your owner...you will do as I say..." His voice was shaking, not at all sounding like he wanted it to. So much for being the prince in this equation.

Long fingers trailed all over his face as if inspecting him before purchase. The eyes remained angry even though the fingers were gentle. Hammand was so scared, he had never been this scared in his entire life. They trailed across his brows, making his lashes flutter as they brushed over them, thumbs felt his entire nose even down to his nostrils and they flared involuntarily while the rest of the fingers busied on his sideburns and cheeks. He shivered but remained stock still as his lips were examined next. They were half open for he was breathing quite heavily through all of this, they were also trembling. The fingers remained there, teasing the soft lips from side to side as if wanting to go in.

"So...what does my master say? What is my use? Tell me I am not a pet? Tell me I was not a whim Prince Hammand?"

He had no answer to those whispered words, and Asgar seemed to have the only one he could give. He had bought him on a whim. There was nothing to say. He said it anyway, in short hesitant gasps as his breathing would let him.

"Friendship...not as a pet...as a friend."

"And what do these kind of royal friends do?" Asgar whispered again, watching that face as he dragged his hands into the soft silky hair now, keeping that beautiful face upturned to his with his mouth circling the gasping one teasingly but making no contact. 

The small man was shaking all over now, not understanding why he was feeling like this. His hands had found Asgar's chest and were gripping his shirt tightly.

"Don't...ddon't you remember what friends do?"

"Refresh my memory..." He didn't move an inch, just stayed there menacingly over Prince Hammand's mouth, enjoying the tantalizing pull those pretty lips had on him. He pushed back the question in his mind asking what the hell he was doing.

"To keep me company...give me advice...direction...help me make good decisions."

"So lets see now. You bought me on a whim so I could help you make good decisions? Am I expected to believe that...my prince?"

Prince Hammand swallowed with pursed lips and Asgar nearly lost the control he had been toying with, just managing to keep from eating up that mouth by dragging his lips over the chiseled bridge of Hammand's nose up to the smooth little forehead. Even then it had practically the same effect a kiss might have had on the innocent young man who cried out as deep shudders overtook his body. His fingers dug into Asgar's chest and his shoulders went up shuddering against his cheeks in reaction.

Asgar stayed that way for a while, lips pressed hard and then teasing across that forehead, hands holding head in place, feeling the trembling his actions were causing and wanting to cause more, hearing the gasps and wanting to hear more.

Shit.

Stop now he told himself while you can still control yourself.

He pulled away gently and let the shaking innocent sit back on the bed with a thump.

"Your bath is ready, my prince," he said quietly after a minute, stepping back a tad regretfully. "I will be waiting in the front chamber if you need me."

With that he walked out of the room, leaving the small man to crawl back into his bed in a bid to quell his trembling body, wondering what on earth he had gotten himself into.




My Lord My Prince Ch. 01



**********

Shetna walked into the prince's chambers and was surprised to see Asgar seated in the front room. The regal slave unnerved him still and he had to blink to compose himself in keeping with his high position in the palace.

"Good morning," Asgar said, nodding as he spoke. He remembered the man who had accompanied the prince to the market. He guessed he was probably the one who had made the payment for him to the slave master for he was sure Hammand hadn't. He had watched the prince's every move from the moment he set eyes on him after all.

"Good morning slave," he replied a tad too haughtily, immediately feeling foolish as the slave kept looking oddly at him with no reaction "What are you called?"

"Asgar."

Interesting name the adviser thought as he acknowledged the reply with a nod and looked towards the bedchamber. "The prince? Is he ready?"

"He should be finishing his bath now I think so he might be ready. Shall I check?" Asgar offered, finding that for some reason he did not want this man to see Hammand possibly still fresh and uncovered after his bath. He didn't realize that he had already started to rise as the adviser inclined his head towards the room entrance, effectively stopping any proposed entry.

Shetna was surprised at the question and the movement but smart enough to know when to let things be. Especially when he recalled how the two men had looked at each other in the market. He stood where he was and looked at Asgar. He was quite surprised at how very comfortable the slave seemed. Already. This was in the space of what, one night?

There was definitely something going on with the prince and this slave. He could always smell these things. He wasn't sure what though, but he didn't let it bother him too much. From experience he knew things always came to a head in the end one way or another, no matter how well hidden they were.

"That would be most helpful," he smiled agreeably, "Tell him Master Shetna, his royal adviser awaits with news from the Queen as regards her new slave."

Asgar stood up and nodded with exaggeration, amusing the adviser because it was obvious the poor man had no idea what to do. Well at least he was respectful even though a bit too imposing but he could not help that, respect was a good sign in a slave and could prove helpful in the case of the feared eventuality as a respectful person always got it back in turn. God help them all.

Asgar opened the door without a sound and went in. He closed it just as quietly and walked further in the room for he couldn't see Prince Hammand. The room was quiet and filled with the scent of cinnamon and sable, most likely coming from Prince Hammand after his bath. He saw him around the corner by the bed and his breath caught, his whole body tensing, evolving into a delicious fire and collecting at his groin.

Fuck.

The prince was completely naked and glisteningly wet, busy drying his hair and neck with a large towel as he faced the direction of the heavily curtained window. God he was so beautiful. Pale skin damp and resplendent in the light, the slender shoulder rippling slightly as he worked. His small back was firm, curving deliciously into the little dimpled buttocks that he had already imagined and could now confirm his hands could encompass with ease. He had the most graceful limbs Asgar had ever seen and he choked audibly as the object of his intense admiration lifted a graceful leg onto a gilded stool, partially exposing pink hanging folds of delicate flesh.

Hammand jumped in shock at the sound and whirled around, losing his towel in the process. He gasped and burnt bright red literally all over his beautiful body as he saw it was Asgar. Spluttering in even more embarrassment now he dropped to the floor and grabbed blindly for his towel. 

But Asgar had already seen all of him, the large pink rosy nipples hardened from the wetness, the taut concave stomach that sucked in visibly at the sight of him, the slim hips he knew he would love holding that surrounded the nest of downy hair and the beautiful pink prize lying somewhat in repose but looking ready to awaken as it twitched a little before disappearing from his sight.

He wanted Prince Hammand. He knew that now.

Denial was futile from here on.

They were speechless for a while as they both tried to compose themselves. Hammand wrapped the large towel around his entire body including his shoulders, feeling a bit panicked at having been seen naked by Asgar. Not many people had seen him this way and even then, it was only family. Very close family.

"How long have you been standing there?" his voice was barely audible. He looked like he wanted to cry in shame. Asgar crumbled under that expression, suddenly feeling this overwhelming remorse at having caused this embarrassment.

"Not too long my prince." Hammand stared at him in some surprise for he had been expecting a sharp sarcastic reply. He relaxed visibly though, sitting down on the bed to dry his legs instead, ensuring his private area was hidden from view. His hands were shaking now as he did this. 

Why did this man always do this to him? How was he going to survive this nervousness all the time? He was usually very sure of himself and confident with everyone he had ever met but this slave made him lose all he thought he was or could do. He knew he needed Miriama's help badly right now; only she could help for she was his most trusted and knew so much about many things. But she was not back home yet. So he was on his own.

"Your adviser is in the front room. He wants a word with you. Shall I ask him in?"

Hammand looked up shyly but shook his head vehemently, not wanting anyone else to see his embarrassment. "No, don't worry. I...I'll come out and meet him. Can you ask him to wait?" he whispered, "Please..." His eyes were wide with discomfort, for he didn't want to be sending Asgar on errands. He definitely knew that this was not what he had bought him for. "Thanks."

Asgar smiled slightly, understanding what the prince was trying to make clear. He winked at the little beauty; his smile widening as the prince's eyes went even wider and he began to redden furiously.

The big man smirked to himself as he went to deliver the message to the awaiting adviser, leaving a shocked blushing prince in his wake. This might not be so bad after all he thought in strange delight.

Prince Hammand came out of his bedroom not too long after and he was told by Shetna that he needed to meet with the Queen and was to spend the day with her for she was impressed with his purchase and wanted to thank him for the good choice of the woman slave. 

Whilst Prince Hammand was always delighted to spend time with his mother for such were few and far between, he was not ready for Asgar to meet anyone yet, much less the Queen, at least not till they had sorted out their differences. So for now, he couldn't take him with him, much as he wanted to. He pushed back the alarming thought that he wanted to show Asgar off. Why would he want to do that? Why did he even think it?

He did not want anyone thinking he was unable to control his slaves, even if in this case he couldn't and really did not have the desire to do so.

So he went alone, and left Asgar in the hands of Shetna for the day, not meeting his eyes as he requested that the adviser personally show him around the palace and give him an idea how things worked.

Shetna happily acquiesced; glad to make some connection with this regal man. He would take good care of him. He had to protect his interests after all. Just in case.

********************

The adviser seemed a nice enough fellow and gave Asgar a long hearty tour of the palace, feeling proud to be a part of it. The building turned out to be much bigger than it appeared when he arrived. It was literally a little city of its own and so very beautiful. All around them were numerous entrances, broad colorful corridors and winding stairways, all leading to carefully planned passages that you could easily get lost in if you did not know exactly where you were going for they were all made to look the same.

Outside were a good number of statues of various sizes scattered richly all over vast well-tended gardens and various subsidiary buildings that housed mostly servants, guests of the lower class and lots of storage with the private dungeons below. There was even a small lake running round the left corner of the high stone walls at the back of the palace with fruit trees surrounding it.

Shetna introduced him to all and sundry and that took forever. Everyone they came across as they strolled about seemed to know who he was already much to his amusement.

"Looks like everyone here seems to know who I am already."

"Palaces work that way," Shetna said lightly "It's a past time for a lot of the people in here, royals alike mind you."

"Yeah, I know," he replied with a laugh for some unconscious reason he was not surprised for he knew news did go round palaces pretty fast. He did not notice Shetna stiffen at his words even while he laughed along with him.

"Be wary of people. I would suggest you try and keep your should I say confidants to a minimum. Your friendship with the prin...the prince favors you very highly it seems, and that might be frowned upon by the other slaves so you need to be careful at all times. In fact it would be better if you confided in no one."

Asgar nodded, gritting his teeth angrily at himself for he felt a blush fill his face. What the fuck? He never blushed!

Shetna pretended not to notice thankfully and they continued their walk. The adviser later invited him to his home in the secondary quarters after they were done with the extensive tour. Asgar had hoped they would be heading back to Prince Hammand's chambers as most of the day was gone already but he said nothing, not wanting to offend by refusing the invitation, him being a slave and all. 

He was introduced to the adviser's wife. She was Naya, a nice looking black woman who was a bit surprised at the unexpected visit from her husband but received them with her husband's equal heartiness when he was introduced for her husband had told her all about his suspicions concerning the new slave.

Asgar kept wondering what Hammand was doing all through the day. He had stopped asking after the third time when it began to seem like he was worrying too much, especially as Shetna had said the Queen would most likely keep her son with her till it was nightfall.

Naya prepared an impressive cena for them while they chatted and Asgar thanked them profusely all through the dinner for he had not eaten such a rich full course meal in ages. The gustatio, eggs and oysters came first and were light and delicious; then came the prima mensa, the rich porridge and vegetables which were piping hot to the touch and tongue just as he liked it; and finally the secunda mensa, the figs, dates and apples mixed together, all ripe and succulent in their own juices. 

They spent the rest of the evening chatting heartily and drinking mulsum with a couple of Shetna's friends, Denar the head of the Chief's guards and Tullus one of the legislators, both of whom the adviser had sent for to join them. 

Asgar had a good time even though he wondered why the obviously highly placed people were treating him so well. He did not mind though but still made sure he did not drink more than half a glass of the honeyed wine. You could never be too sure in palaces; it was always better to be more wary of the laughing man than the glaring one.

When he left them for the prince's chambers, they all agreed that he was royalty one way or another. That was not a good thing.

**********

When Asgar returned to the prince's chambers he was surprised and a little disappointed to find him fast asleep in bed. He had hoped to tell him all about his day and hear of his in turn. The little man didn't even budge when he entered the room and stood over the bed watching him.

Such beauty in a man, that he could enjoy this sight of Prince Hammand this way was so unnerving and wondrous at the same time. He was even more innocent in his slumber; tiny graceful limbs all curled up and tangled in the sheets. It was a bit cool in the room; a window had been left open probably because it had been a little hot earlier on. Which meant the prince had been here much earlier than Asgar had expected him to be.

Asgar closed the window softly, feeling bad that the prince may have come back early because of him and he had been busy chatting with Shetna and the other men. He knew he should have come over to check rather than just ask, it had been niggling at him all day too.

Damn.

He changed into his sleepwear and climbed in beside the prince. Asgar detangled Hammand gently and tucked him in. He settled into the plush bed, lying on his side facing Hammand so he could feast his eyes on the little beauty till he fell asleep. 

And this was exactly what he did.

**********

When Prince Hammand awoke, he was curled up in Asgar's arms. They were both on their sides facing each other but leaning more on Asgar's side so the bigger man was partly on his back and Hammand's face was buried high up in Asgar's neck just under his chin and Asgar's left leg was snuggled between Prince Hammand's thighs. Large arms were wrapped around his back, enclosing him firmly in place even as the big man was still fast asleep. 

Knowing he should get out of this embrace, he found he could not bring himself to. Instead he snuggled deeper, his face nuzzling into that hollow, leaving only a little room to breathe as basked in the steady comforting rhythm of Asgar's heart beat and his masculine scent. He didn't understand what he was feeling, but he liked the tingly sensations that came from being so close to him. He had never felt this way before.

He had no idea Asgar was awake, for he too had been surprised to awaken with the prince completely in his arms like this. He silently cursed his body and subconscious mind for taking over his life like this. If it were left to him, he would have...damn. He would have done what? Asgar pushed away the dangerous train of thought before it registered and focused on the little bundle of reality in his arms. He seemed to be trying to snuggle even closer to him, his small body warm and smooth.

Keeping his eyes closed in the guise of sleep, he turned fully on his side and slid his thigh further between the prince's legs and moved it up. This action pressed the prince's body hard against his and his small leg hung round Asgar's waist. The prince, now face level with a sleeping Asgar, buried his head in the warm shoulder and hiked his leg comfortably round Asgar with a contented sigh. He obviously wasn't afraid of him when he thought he was asleep.

A soft chuckle came from deep in Asgar's throat before he could stop it and the small man jumped like he had been electrocuted. 

"I'm s...sorry," he stuttered as he tried to extricate himself from Asgar's large limbs. He was shaking now and red in embarrassment.

Asgar allowed him pull away, leaving the small beauty to detangle himself from him. It took him a while for he was shaking so badly. "There's no need to be sorry, I won't bite you know. Looks like you liked snuggling in my chest."

Movement stopped except for the trembling, big eyes averted shyly "You ddon't mind?"

"No I don't. That's what I'm here for isn't it?"

"Don't start that again Asgar! It's not what you're here for, Asgar, honest. I just woke up and..." He looked stricken and confused as he tried to explain. Asgar found he didn't like that look at all, it almost hurt to see and know he had caused it.

"Its okay, I was just teasing. Come here, my prince. I said I don't mind." 

His hands were still partially on the prince's thigh but he wanted the prince to come to him of his own accord. He did, slowly, hesitant and shy. Asgar pulled him back fully into the position he was in before, nuzzled in his neck. He was trembling even more. Damn.

"Calm down, I won't bite," he whispered gently, starting to stroke the prince's back. He kept on till the trembling ceased and he felt the small man's lips press into his skin. Both their hearts were pounding and Asgar ignored the growing hardness between his legs, refusing to even acknowledge its existence and the cause of it. It hurt.

"What do companions do then?" He asked softly, touching the small man's hair lightly. It was like silk and fluffy in his fingers. Prince Hammand lifted his head and Asgar's finger titled his face further to face his. He gulped shyly at the heavy stare upon him and a shiver went through his body.

"I'm not really sure anymore. I thought it was to be a friend but you said it was something bad..."

"No I didn't..." God he was so damned beautiful.

"But when I told you that you asked me if I love men and if I fu...funned men. I don't even know what that means but it sounded bad. I don't want to do anything bad to you. I just want to be friends with you and get to know you..." 

Asgar smiled, not correcting Hammand's mispronunciation, he regretted making that statement in the first place. "It's not bad, not in that sense. We can be friends if you want but on one condition."

Hammand looked immediately apprehensive but Asgar shook his head and stroked his soft cheek gently. "What's the condition?"

"That you stop being so afraid of me" Hammand blushed furiously but Asgar wouldn't let him look away. Even though that was going to be difficult, Hammand was relieved for he had expected something worse.

"I can't help it...you're so huge. Like a giant or something. And you were so angry yesterday and the day before...I didn't know what to do or say to make it better." He managed a nervous smile at Asgar's chuckle, relaxing even more.

"I can't help how big I am, but maybe you can stop being afraid of me." 

He found himself pulling the prince hard against him so their noses were touching. The prince gasped at the closeness and his eyes filled with fear. "Like now."

"But I...I'm scared," his voice was beginning to tremble again and his body had gone all tense.

"Why?" Asgar's voice was hoarse, asking even though he knew why. He loved the feel of this small man against him.

"I don't know. I feel funny inside. I feel like...like you want to do something to me."

"Something like what...you feel funny? Funny good or funny bad."

"I don't know, it just feels that way. And I feel like I'm cold and hot at the same time...I'm not even sure I'm explaining it properly. I...I don't know if to feel like this is good or bad. I've never felt like this before...h...have you? Sorry...you can't remember can you?"

"No I can't remember anything before I became a slave. Is that what you felt when you decided to buy me?"

Hammand is shocked at this question, shamed at the accuracy of it. The embarrassment was too much for the prince and tears sprang up and spilled almost immediately. He pushed away from Asgar and scrambled to get off the large bed. 

Asgar moved swiftly without thinking, crushing the little body with his just as Prince Hammand reached the end of the bed. The prince's breath was knocked out of him. It was overwhelming to feel this huge man on the entire length of his body. His body was stiff in shock and they both gasped at the intimacy of the position. Asgar's mouth was right by his ear and as he spoke the breath that escaped made the prince shiver. 

What was happening to him?

"Relax my prince" Asgar whispered, lifting his weight off by balancing on his elbows and wondering why he had pounced on him in the first place. Because it felt good, his mind said. "We don't have to talk about it if you're not ready. We'll just work on being friends like you want and you not being afraid of me like I want. How is that?"




My Lord My Prince Ch. 02



Copyright – Poshbillionaire 2011

My sincere apologies for the delay! It's been so crazy for me lately...

To N... you're the best ever! I just had to say something! 

CHAPTER TWO

Prince Hammand was to go out with Chief Bani Manz for most of the day to do some inspections. The first thing he wanted to do was have Asgar meet Miriam. He hoped she had returned from her trip, she was usually back by this time. In fact she seemed to have stayed longer this time, or maybe it was just his eagerness.

"Go and find out if Mother Miriam has returned," he ordered the slaves who had just finished cleaning out his bath. The frightened look on their faces disappeared when they realized they were only being sent on an errand and had done nothing wrong. They began to scramble off in relief. 

"Be sure to come back with the news at once."

"Yes, my prince," they muttered in unison, walking backwards and bowing as they retreated.

Asgar chuckled from underneath the bed covers. He had been peeking but had kept out of sight of the slaves. He sat up with a smile, still a little groggy. 

"You know you scared them."

"I didn't mean to. I've never been harsh to them so why would they be afraid of me?" he muttered, sitting on the bed.

"It's possible they may be treated differently outside of your chambers so may not expect anything different from you."

"Oh."

"Who's Mother Miriam?" Asgar asked, sliding to the edge of the luxurious bed and making sure to keep his eyes averted from the prince's body when he noticed he was getting dressed.

Hammand smiled thoughtfully, "She nursed me from birth and practically raised me." Asgar nodded, subconsciously knowing that the royals did not nurse their babies themselves. "She is like a mother to me, we're very close. She has been out of town for a while. I'm hoping she's back by now."

Miriam was a quiet, strangely eclectic person and for this reason most people seemed to fear her. Before she was chosen to nurse Prince Hammand, she was the priestess of Akin Ra. It had happened by chance really. The young wet nurse who had been set aside to help the Queen had run off with the servant who had gotten her pregnant and there was no woman around who could produce milk. It was unheard of for a Queen to nurse in these parts but the baby was weakening. Everyone had been terrified of what could happen.

There had been such a long, frantic search for a nurse and it was thought to be strange that there were no women who still had milk anywhere close. By the time Miriam was found walking aimlessly in the forest by chance, the royal family was desperate. She had been weeping for days on end for she had just lost her baby. 

"Will you help us?" she had been asked by the head adviser when she arrived at the palace. All the advisers and healers had surrounded her, ready to do anything, give anything to keep her there. The crowd of people should have frightened Miriam; she was usually such a solitary creature. But she had looked around her and felt a calmness that told her she was in the right place. 

"Yes" she had said. She had plenty of milk to spare to the one who needed her. The one she was sent here for. She would give all she could. It was her destiny after all.

No one questioned how she had found her way there. 

"Where are you from, maiden?" She had been asked amidst whispers of thanks and praise.

"Far away" she had said simply, offering nothing more. And that was all there was to it. There were no more enquiries from that point.

No one knew anything more about the young maiden. No one questioned her pregnancy or her marital status, even though she was alone. No one questioned how she came to know that the Queen needed a nurse for her new baby. At that time, not a lot of people were even aware the Queen had given birth. But it was accepted.

It was never questioned.

The royal house had been so happy and relieved to have a nurse at last. They could not take the chance that she would run off like the first nurse had so Miriam was given all she asked for; in their eyes her requests were meager. All she asked was to keep her duties as a healer and priestess alongside taking care of the prince; to take care of him until he himself decided he no longer had need for her. 

She had been whisked off to the Queen who promptly passed her Prince Hammand without even asking her name; so relieved that she would not have to nurse him herself. Miriam had happily taken baby Hammand on and they had been like mother and child ever since. This was mainly because he was the youngest son out of three and no one paid too much attention to him other than ensure he was well taken care of. She loved him like he was her own and she would protect him with her life. Everyone who knew them in the region knew that. The prince knew that. He loved her just as much.

Prince Hammand had grown up hearing tales of her regular haunts in the forests; with spirits and animals. He lived for her intriguing tales when he was younger and always wanted to go with her into the forest but his parents never permitted it. That was one privilege that was never granted her. Prince Hammand suspected she did not wish this. He knew she had a way of getting what she wanted. She must not have wanted him along anyway.

As he got older, his interest in her work in the forests had waned. He looked back on her stories as fairytales told simply to entertain his childish mind. She found the change amusing but never questioned his new view; she just let him go ahead with it. It did not affect her work and he did not challenge it either so she did not take offence.

Prince Hammand really hoped she was back.

* * * *

Miriam knew something new awaited her at the palace. While she had been picking herbs, she had felt a long familiar burning in her shoulder blades. It was a surprise, albeit a frightening one. 

It was not possible. How?

The last time she had felt that pain was when she had approached the baby prince. That was a lifetime ago.

At the time she had simply been puzzled at the pain and when she had gotten the courage to look, she found an imprint of the ankh right between her shoulder blades. She had never questioned its appearance, taking it in her stride with her usual acceptance of all things spiritual. It was life. It was Prince Hammand. All these years, she had thought her work was with Prince Hammand alone.

But now that she felt it again, she worried. She was too old to nurse, too old to care for a baby like it should be cared for with a lot of energy and love. She was unsure she could give what was expected of her, but it would be the will of Akin Ra. Not to be disobeyed. Ever.

She was even more afraid when she got a look at her back.

"How can this be?" she had questioned. It was a second ankh, a much larger one this time. It enveloped the older imprint completely whilst keeping it still in view and they shone brightly in gold and black hues. Both, in turn, were wrapped in vines of ivy and numerous tiny flowers; yellow acacia, forget me nots, gladiolus and lily all spotted delicately with dew.

This puzzled her beyond words and she spent nights going over it in her head. She deciphered its possible meaning but was so confused at the strange implications of that idea that her unease and turmoil continued. The confusion also made her uncomfortable, it was such an alien emotion after years of knowing most things with relative ease. Her first instinct had been to rush back to the palace but she forced herself to calm down and make as much sense of it as she could. After all no harm had come to Prince Hammand, she would have known if it had.

She even stayed an extra day out there to pray as hard as she could and put forth offerings to the Gods for the sake of her son. When she eventually made her way back, she was no less confused than she had been when the imprint appeared. Maybe her son would have answers.

* * * *

The slaves brought back news that Miriam had just returned from her quarterly herb hunt and prayer escape in the forest. 

Finally.

"Would that be all my prince?" the taller of the slaves asked with a bowed head.

Prince Hammand made sure to smile at them. "Yes," he said brightly, "that is all. I am happy you brought me good news. Tell the head cook to give you eggs with your next meal. You are to report to me with the food to confirm he has done this. Tell him that."

The slaves nodded vigorously and hopped away in delight. Hammand felt very good with himself for playing a part in their joy.

"That was a very nice thing to do." Asgar's voice came from behind him. He turned around and blushed. The big man was just out of the bath. He was bare-chested with a towel wrapped around his waist. The towel was one of Hammand's; it was small and didn't leave much to the imagination. His toned thighs were partially exposed and rippling.

He was wet all over.

"I'm not a bad person... am I?" his voice had gone hoarse from what he was seeing.

"No my prince. You're a good person." Asgar whispered, somehow suddenly in front of him and stroking his cheek. Asgar's hand was cold from his bath and yet the prince had to fight not to lean into it. He failed, Asgar smelt so good, so fresh, he couldn't resist. He just wanted to keep breathing him in. "But you are a prince. You are Prince Hammand of Renadi, the largest of the five regions of Goren. The most beautiful prince in the entire country."

"Asgar, don't say that. I am not beautiful!"

"Yes you are my prince. You have no idea... how... perfect you are." Hammand blushed at the sincerity in his voice, hiding his burning face in Asgar's cool palm. "People will fear you for who you are, whether you are good or not. But it is good to show them mercy and kindness as much as you can."

"You will remind me of this when I forget. Won't you?" he asked softly, breath warm against Asgar's palm.

"I don't think you will forget..." Asgar's other hand went to the other side of his face, cupping his cheek and tilting his face up. "But I'll be here... for anything you need."

Their eyes held at the promise in his words, for somehow it sounded like it meant a great deal more. Prince Hammand wanted to reply but his throat felt clogged with emotion so he simply swallowed his words. There was something building between them, he could not tell what but he could feel it so strongly. It was a wonderful feeling yet it frightened him so.

The huge man bent over and let their foreheads, then their noses, touch. The tension was crackling in the air as they breathed each other.

"Anything..." Asgar promised tenderly as he lifted his head.

Prince Hammand felt a strong fluttering in his lower belly and took a step back. Asgar's hands dropped slowly and he made to pull off the towel. The prince's eyes widened in fright and the big man let out a chuckle but stopped, waiting. Hammand tried not to stare at Asgar's body but it was difficult considering the man was so entrancing... and half naked. His face was red hot as he turned away, heading towards the door. 

"I'm... I..." he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. "I'm going to meet Mother Miriam. I will be back soon."

"Shall I wait here? Or are you gone for the day?"

"Yes!" Hammand rasped, fighting the urge to turn to face him for he could hear the flapping of the towel as Asgar dried himself. Oh God, he was completely naked right now. If he turned around, he would see all of him. Hammand had no idea why this excited him so much.

"I mean no." he corrected himself, shaking his head to clear it. "I'll be back very soon."

He rushed off before the urge to turn overwhelmed him, the echo of Asgar's amusement behind him. Hammand could not help but smile. 

It had been over two weeks since he had purchased Asgar and he had been itching for her to get back from her haunt. Time dragged on endlessly with no sign of her. It was beginning to seem like she was staying in the haunt longer than normal.

He usually didn't fuss about her being in the forest any longer as she had done it for so long and had proved that she could take care of herself in every situation. But he was itching for her to meet Asgar so bad that it felt like forever. Not that he would accept anyone's opposition to his new friend at this point but he wanted to know what she thought of him at least; if she liked him. Her opinion mattered a lot to him.

Now he had word that she had returned, he was excited to hear that at last. He hoped Asgar wouldn't mind for he was certainly not letting him go off with Shetna or the servants for the day while he was away with his father. He hated doing that for deep inside he did not want Asgar to associate with the other slaves at all if he could help it.

To try and avoid any coercing from the big man, he went off to Miriam's first and then, on arrival, sent some of his guards to bring Asgar to him when he was ready. 

"Mother!" he called out as he entered the secondary royal kitchen. She was nowhere in sight, just four female slaves working at the hearth. They jumped up at the sight up at his appearance, scrambling to stand in line and bow as they straightened their clothes. "Relax..." the prince said with a nod.

"Where is Mother Miriam?" he queried.

"She is down in the cellar my prince. Shall we fetch her?"

"No." he said, waving them off. "Go back to work. I will go to her myself."

He walked down into the cellar, his excitement increasing as he went down the long flight of stairs so by the last few he was hopping. "Miriam? Mother?"

She was by the clay pots, dishing out some herbs into a tray. Her eyes lit up at the sound of his voice and she put the tray down on a pot, holding her arms out to her beloved son.

"Hammand!"

They hugged with a laugh, Miriam wondering at Hammand's unusual excitement. He was practically dancing on his feet. 

"Have you missed me so much?" she teased when they pulled apart, her eyes twinkling like they did when she was happy. She was still a good-looking woman despite being past her prime. Her hair was very long and braided; it reached past her waist and was streaked with gray on the right side as if by design.

"Of course I missed you!" he laughed as her face filled with amused disbelief, rambling on "Okay, I have been waiting for you to get back. Why did you stay so long? Come, let's go up to the kitchen and sit down. I have so much to tell you, mother. I met someone... well, not really met, more like I bought someone..."

Even as he filled Miriam in on what had happened in her absence, his mind kept going back to Asgar; so much that he did not notice that his mother was not her usual self.

He knew Asgar would be mad that he didn't return to his chamber like he had assured. He would probably be even more surprised at the guards too. Just waiting for him to arrive was making him more nervous and jittery by the second.

So when he was brought in, the prince subtly hid behind Miriam to escape his stare. Miriam smiled to herself, wondering what was going on. The prince had been excitedly telling her all about the new slave he bought, how huge he was, how perfect he was, how handsome he was, how deep his eyes were... she had never seen her son like this.

The guards left, bowing and only Asgar stood there, trying to catch his eye after nodding respectfully at Miriam. The prince wouldn't budge from her back. "Asgar, this is Mother Miriam."

"My greetings..." the huge man hesitated, unsure how to address the woman. She sized him up intently and he waited calmly for her opinion. Prince Hammand seemed to be waiting too for he became quiet. It was like they were both holding their breath.

Miriam took her time to look him over like she did everyone she met who had a connection with her ward. Her immediate thought was that he was no slave, bought or not. No wonder Hammand was hiding from him. He looked like a King, his tall powerful frame imposing yet magnificent. Intense eyes made even darker and more mesmerizing by hooded thick dark brows. He was quite handsome too and very muscular but lean; he must have been a warrior of some sort in his past life. He most certainly was something important.

Most people of such great height tended to stoop to others; he on the other hand held his head up high and proud. You had to look up high to meet his gaze and she was 5"7. She wondered how her son managed with him, little as he was. He was giggling softly behind her so it looked like he was managing just fine. This was interesting.

Even more interesting was the tingling on her back. The imprint was identifying its connection, giving her the answer she needed. Miriam felt her body sag as it relaxed instantly at the revelation. She struggled to keep from closing her eyes in relief as it flooded through her. She knew what it all meant now and it was a wondrous thing.

"Call me Miriam." Her smile flashed brightly in her wonder.

"Miriam it is. It's very nice to meet you Miriam." He looked over her shoulder again. She smiled at him slightly, still appraising. 

"And you are?"

Asgar looked over her shoulder, a bit hesitant to speak for himself when his master was there. "Prince Hammand?" He wanted the prince to come out of his hiding and introduce him however he saw fit.

"He's my com...friend. He is called Asgar." 

"A slave?" Miriam murmured with a smile. "That's a surprise little prince, you never showed any interest in slaves before. He is very tall and proud. I must say he is very unlike what one would expect a slave to look like. I hear you bought him yourself..."

"Miriamma, don't tease. He's standing right there!" Hammand moaned in embarrassment. He had told her all this himself already, she didn't hear it from anywhere else!

Asgar laughed and walked towards in the chair Miriam's hand directed him to. It was round the side of the worktable and past two other chairs, which puzzled him. He went anyway and when he sat down he realized what she was doing.

He could see the prince now, looking so incredibly cute as he crouched behind Miriam. He blushed furiously when his eyes met with Asgar and covered his face with his hands. But he was still giggling though, which was good.

"Don't be mad..." he giggled, peeking a little at the huge man.

"I'm not mad, my prince. Come here," Asgar held out his hand, his voice soft. 

Miriam raised her eyebrows in surprise at the way the slave spoke to Hammand. She turned away in though, bustling over to the farther side of the kitchen to give them their space. Hammand walked slowly to him and put his small hand in Asgar's large one, looking at the size difference in fascination. Asgar clamped down and pulled the small man to him until he was practically sitting in his lap.

He whispered in his ear, "You were supposed to come back," Hammand shivered a little. "I waited for you. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I just wanted you to stay with Miriama for a while...I –" He cringed visibly as he spoke, waiting for Asgar to explode. Asgar saw this and strove to control himself even though he was now getting a bit upset.

"So am I her 'companion' now?"


"No!" came the shocked gasp. "I have to go with Father today for the inspections and cannot take my own slave," he didn't finish that sentence, "but other than outings like that, I will have you with me. Promise."

Asgar didn't answer; the words hit him like a bullet. He had let go of Hammand's hand now and was trying to deal with the prospect of being nothing but a pet, beautiful master or no. This could not be his life; this could not be his existence. He didn't want to frighten the prince again with his anger so he kept his turmoil to himself.

"Asgar?"

He simply looked up and stared at Hammand, his anger and despair showing blatantly. 




My Lord My Prince Ch. 02



A small hand touched his tentatively but he snatched his away as if it burned. Prince Hammand was mortified, he turned to Miriam with teary eyes and she nodded towards the door, indicating that he go ahead and leave them alone.

"I... I'm sorry," he choked painfully to the big man and rushed from the room.

Asgar let out a deep breath as the tension dissipated with Prince Hammand's departure. Miriam put a cool but strange looking drink before him and sat down at the table with her own different drink clasped in her hand.

He drank it with relief, enjoying the somewhat familiar bittersweet taste. It perked him up a bit.

Miriam was smiling at him, "I suspected you would like that... more?"

He nodded and she went off to the cupboard and poured him more. He drank with relish, smacking his lips "I know this drink...I have it every morning..." He shook his head a bit. "I mean I think I did."

"I hear you lost your memory. So you do remember bits here and there?" A nod. "That's something at least. Like this drink... mmh. You are definitely not what you seem, proud one." 

Unknown to Asgar, the drink she had given him was from the Chief's coffers. It was a drink saved only for the royals. It was regarded as the nectar of the Gods and there were not a lot of the berries around. If he remembered taking it each morning, then... there were possibilities. But the reality of that was not good at all. She wondered if she should warn Hammand about this. Shetna had already told her at the gate that he had warned him from the start. From the looks of things now and the effect the man had on the prince, it was obvious it would be even more difficult to convince him to sell Asgar off. She doubted that they could do anything to change the situation now with the ankh on her back. Whether he stayed or not, the die had been cast; it was in the hands of the Gods now.

"He does not mean to offend, proud one. You must know that." He nodded slowly. "We will find things of interest for you to do, don't worry. I will help him with that."

He thanked her and then began to relax as they chatted. His relaxation seemed to help quell most of the tingling in her back. It most definitely was him that it was connected to. Before long she had him helping her with most of the lifting around the royal side-kitchen. She knew that as they got closer and he got totally comfortable around her, the tingling would disappear completely just as Prince Hammand's had.

She, for one, liked him already. 

* * * *

Over the next few weeks Asgar discovered there were actually a good number of things he could help Hammand with. 

He had gone with him to the royal library, where Prince Hammand sat at the largest table with documents and ledgers strewn all over it. "This is one of my main responsibilities." He said at Asgar's puzzled look, "I found I was very good with numbers when I was younger and my father gave me the duty of doing the taxes when I turned 14 years old." 

He smiled shyly under the big man's admiration. "I levy taxes and borrow money as and when the royal house needs it."

"That is impressive. My prince is a genius." Asgar exclaimed, earning a blush from Hammand. "But your brother, the Crown Prince...?"

"He is not interested in taxes. He finds it too much work for something so boring. The growing costs of administration and military upkeep had forced father to continually assess how to raise funds whilst trying, as much as possible, to avoid increasing the cost of living for the people. Neither him nor Jinor cared about how taxes affected the people so I gladly took it up. I've been doing them ever since."

Asgar sat with him and gave it a try. He soon found he understood taxes pretty well and was able to help Hammand assess how to levy them so the people of the land were not too affected. It turned out to be an interesting, though tedious job, and doing it together took away most of the tenuousness of the duty. 

Prince Hammand was also in charge of the military somewhat. This came as a surprise to Asgar as it did to most people considering that the prince was so tiny and obviously not a warrior in any shape or form. He had been shocked when Hammand had mentioned what they would be doing that day.

"Speaking to the soldiers? The warriors who fight for the region? The ones that go to war?" Hammand nodded with a smile for he was not surprised at Asgar's reaction. He got it all the time. "This is one of your duties as well?" Another nod. Asgar looked a bit unsure of this one. Doing taxes was okay, it was behind closed doors and could be corrected if a mistake was made and Hammand was a genius at it. But talking to warriors was a different thing entirely; one wrong move could earn his prince disrespect for life. 

Warriors never forgot. He knew that... after all he had – What had he done, damn it! The thought was gone. Refusing to dwell on the lost thought, he focused on Prince Hammand again.

"If you are sure then..."

"I'm sure Asgar." Hammand replied patiently, pulling his hand. "I've been doing this for a long time. Come, you'll see."

Asgar went along, not wanting to be a spoilsport. He had always thought it preferable that a warrior speaks to warriors. How would his prince know the right words to say? He didn't know how he would react if Hammand was disrespected by the men, warriors or not. Asgar was jittery as they climbed on the podium, wondering if he should leave. He probably would have if Hammand had not held his hand until he was about to step forward and speak. He couldn't trust himself if Hammand got it wrong and was... Damn.

It was until the prince spoke out loud in all his princely glory that all doubt was gone. He had everyone's attention and always managed to keep them listening. It was a fascinating gift and magical to watch.

"My prince..." Asgar muttered in awed pride. 

If he was not already falling for the prince he would have done so then, falling even harder at the way the little beauty transformed into a different person on that podium. He looked even more beautiful and resplendent as he spoke and gesticulated, so much that Asgar wondered if his overwhelming beauty was not a part of this intoxicating effect he had on the soldiers. 

He motivated them with ease and confidence, teaching them how to march with pride and ensuring their spirits were high especially in times of peace, like now when they felt useless.

"You are amazing," he whispered in Hammand's ear when he helped him down afterwards. The enormous grin on the prince's face made all the advisers around them wonder what the slave had just said to him.

Asgar helped him prepare his speeches each time from then on and also helped keep his mind off it until every meeting started. He also helped calm Prince Hammand's nerves just before he went on the podium. This generally involved standing up there with him throughout the speech. Asgar soon began to wonder how the prince had done them without him, considering how hysterical Hammand went when he had jokingly said one day that he was too ill to come along with him.

With Miriam's help, once they discovered that Asgar was admirably adept with the sword and the bow and arrow; he was allowed to teach Hammand this so he could perform for the Emperor King at the annual Ciz festival. 

All this greatly helped to dissipate his feelings of wrongful idleness. Hammand didn't do a lot but what he did was interesting enough and time consuming so Asgar was fine with it. He would not be completely useless after all.

Over the next few months, they became extremely close. Closer than Hammand could have ever hoped for or imagined. Asgar began to shorten the prince's name to Ham and it delighted Prince Hammand beyond reason for it sounded like an endearment. Asgar had steadily managed to erase the price's fear of him almost entirely. The prince was no longer nervous around him and it was like they were joined at the hip.

They were always together and never seemed to get enough of each other's presence. Eventually Prince Hammand built up the courage to introduce Asgar to his siblings, Jinor the Crown prince and the eldest child, Prince Moran the next eldest and Princesses Kitina and Arina his immediate elder sisters who were twins.

Prince Hammand was the youngest royal and tended to get left to his own devices most of the time, especially with having not one, but two, brothers before him. They were also much older than him, with Moran being 4 years older than Hammand whilst he and Jinor had just a year between them. They didn't see as much of each other as they used to once they reached puberty for each child had a different form of tutoring for their position in the royal lineage. 

Even then, he had always been closer to his sisters but now they were fast approaching marriageable age and soon to be past the healer's checks, they had spent the better part of the year going from region to region to make themselves known to all the royal houses in the hope of snagging a good husband. Other than that they met mostly at occasional visits or at parties such as this. Hence the fact that he had such a close companion whom none of his family had ever met up until now. 

It was the day the Crown prince was to have his betrothed over to visit and was hosting her with his brothers and sisters in the palace. Hammand felt it was the best time to introduce Asgar, as there wouldn't be too much scrutiny especially as the bride-to-be would be there to occupy everyone's mind. It would be perfect.

Asgar didn't really want to meet any of them but he knew it was inevitable. He hated the attention such things brought, the eyes assessing and judging, like he needed all that. He had had enough of that already with the palace staff and he certainly was not looking forward to the attention of the royals.

They were to join Princesses Kitina and Arina as well as Prince Moran in the mini banquet hall and await Princess Memm's arrival. Once she was ushered in, Crown Prince Jinor would enter. Prince Hammand entered the hall with Asgar walking behind him. He had no idea what to expect from his brothers and sisters but he just wanted to get this over with

His sisters were huddled in a corner chattering but their eyes lit up when they saw him and they excitedly rushed over. 

"Hammand! How are you? It has been too long! What have you been up to? You have forgotten all about your sisters, haven't you?"

"No I haven't! You've been away remember?" he laughed in their embrace.

They bombarded him with questions, not even allowing him to answer before asking more. His brother Moran came into their midst and ruffled his hair, laughing as Hammand raised his eyebrows in frustration.

Asgar watched the whole exchange quietly, stepping back to allow them their space. They rambled on for ages, talking about trips and potential princes of the surrounding land. It seemed that was all the girls would talk about. Seeing how they acted, you would wonder that they did not see each other on a daily basis. They were sharing everything it seemed and it warmed Asgar's heart that his prince had this.

The two Princesses were exactly alike and he could see that they shared Hammand's beauty though their hair was much longer and luxurious. His brother Moran was slightly taller than Hammand and a bit on the plump side. He shared the same pale skin as his prince but that was where it ended. He seemed very quiet too, choosing to listen in and smile or laugh when the others spoke.

It took a while before they noticed him, and even then that was because Hammand had peeled himself away and hollered that he wanted to introduce someone. They watched in amusement as he went over and shyly pulled Asgar forward.

"This is Asgar," he said with a smile. "I bought him some months ago. He is my companion now. This is Princess Arina and Princess Kitina."

"Ohhh," both girls giggled excitedly, "he is sooo handsome..."

They fell back into the catching up, telling Hammand about all the places they had been to and all the handsome and not so handsome men they had met. Asgar was thankful for that.

It was not long before Princess Memm was announced and they welcomed her heartily as was expected. She was a beautiful young woman, if a little haughty looking. She was introduced to each of them by the royal head adviser even though they had all already met her at different times in the past. She presented gifts to each of them as was the custom too and Hammand passed his to Asgar.

When the formalities were done and everyone was settling, the betrothed stepped around Hammand and watched as Asgar helped him open her gift. Asgar nodded respectfully, unable to do more than that with Hammand practically in his lap. 

"And who might this be?"

Hammand looked up but didn't budge from his position. He didn't like her gaze; she looked like she wanted Asgar for herself. "He is Asgar." 

"A slave?" Her eyes seemed to be roaming all over Asgar's muscled ripped body. Prince Hammand felt his blood boiling with jealousy.

But he nodded, clarifying clearly, "My slave." 

She smiled widely at Asgar, seeming to reach out to touch his cheek then realizing the utter inappropriateness of that action and pulling her hand back. "My, he is a very fine specimen of a slave. Has he always been here? I must say I have never noticed him before. He definitely is one to remember don't you think?"

"He has not always been here. Just a few months."

"He looks more like a warrior than a personal slave?" It was a question.

Hammand smiled tightly, getting tired of the attention she was focusing on Asgar. "He is not exactly my personal slave, more my companion really..." With that he settled fully on Asgar's lap for good measure, leaning back into the huge man's welcoming body. Asgar in turn moved the parcel around so they continued unwrapping it on Hammand's lap instead.

"Oh."

That shut her up quick. 

Asgar smiled to himself, Hammand was even more beautiful in his jealousy. He decided he liked it. He noticed his prince was still tense and looked up from the parcel to find Princess Memm still staring at him lustfully from where she had sat down on the heavily gilded chair had been set specially for her. It would be her designated chair when she married the crown prince. So much for the virgin bride, she sure seemed very wanton for a supposed innocent. He looked away, hiding his reaction with subtlety. 

The Crown Prince was going to have a lot of work with that one, he thought. Then again, Prince Hammand had told him the union had nothing to do with love so not much could be expected. It was all for the good of the land, to cement relations with another region. He shook off the thought that the same would be asked of Hammand in due time. He could not face that just yet.

Prince Hammand's sisters watched the drama unfold, trying with difficulty to hide their amusement. When Princess Memm realized they were watching her, she went red in embarrassment and looked away with a scowl.

Prince Hammand and Asgar finished opening the elaborately wrapped present and it was a vase with a gilded dagger hidden within. They were both amused at it, both knowing what it was; one of the ways the royals protected themselves by hiding weapons in unlikely places. Neither Prince Hammand nor Asgar questioned how Asgar could know that.

The prince thanked Princess Memm for the gift but ignored her question whether Asgar liked it too. Hammand simply showed the gift to Moran who whispered that maybe he should have waited until he got to his private chambers to open the gift like the rest of them were doing. They analyzed the dagger intricately in order to avoid her persistent questions, both smiling to themselves as they shared looks and raised eyebrows.

Goodness, she was relentless, Asgar thought, feeling more and more uncomfortable under her scrutiny. She did not even seem to care about the impression she was giving her futures. Not a good sign at all. At moments like this he hated being a slave. It was demeaning for him to feel so helpless. 

"Is no one going to answer me?" she called out. The four siblings and Asgar looked over at her directly. She raised her eyebrows haughtily, but then so did the twins, meeting her glare for glare.

Fortunately, the gong sounded to announce Crown Prince Jinor's entry so nothing more was said of it. The Crown Prince walked in with his head held up proudly but once the ceremony was of that was over he visibly relaxed and joined in the chatting. He was the tallest of them all, which was fitting for him. He was slightly darker in coloring and muscular. 

Hammand was pulled playfully to Jinor's side as soon as he saw him; the older brother saying he had missed him and was sorry for not finding things for them to do together. Hammand once again introduced Asgar. Jinor's reaction was a surprise. 

Asgar had expected indifference, disdain even. But the Crown Prince looked somewhat surprised, then puzzled. He stared up at him for Asgar towered over him too.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" he asked, looking Asgar over and over with heightening interest. The princesses looked on with interest going quiet for a second.

"No Prince Jinor," Asgar replied, "but I have no memories of my past life so cannot tell for sure."

"Why do I feel like I know you?" Jinor asked again, rhetorically. He was unable to shake that strong feeling that this slave's face was familiar. He was sure that if and when he had met him, it wasn't as a slave. He never remembered slaves faces, so he couldn't have been one. Certainly not this one. His face was eerily familiar but he couldn't place why. Jinor was greatly unsettled by this for some reason and made a mental note to check this out further. 

A look of fright covered Hammand's face as he watched his brother try to decipher who Asgar was. He felt so afraid and at the same time remorseful that he did not want Asgar or anyone else to remember and have Asgar possibly be separated from him.

Relief surged through him when Jinor's attention was diverted from Asgar with a question from Princess Memm. Asgar settled back behind Hammand and tried to be invisible, not very easy with Hammand leaning back into him time and again to make him know he was not forgotten. If Hammand's siblings thought this was strange they sure didn't act like it. Asgar felt good that they accepted their brother's actions so wholeheartedly. It was nice to see such love.

They all chatted merrily, focusing most of their attention on their brother's betrothed after a while, the banquet was announced. Prince Jinor gallantly helped his betrothed up and they made their way to the dining area where the array of delicacies was laid out. 

When the other siblings stood up to follow suit, Asgar thought it best to take his leave. He was the only slave there after all and it was a bit awkward for him. Much as Prince Hammand wished he were one of them, the reality was he was not and he needed to know his place.

Besides, Ham needed to catch up with them. He would give them their space.

Hammand knew from Asgar's expression that he wanted to leave. He pleaded silently with his eyes but his big man looked a bit resigned so he let him go reluctantly, leaning up to make a request. "Wait up for me?" he asked on tiptoe as quietly as he could.

"Of course I will." Hammand blushed prettily and fought the urge to press into the large welcoming chest in front of him.

* * * *

Hammand stepped into his chambers, feeling very happy at the way the day had gone. He could not have hoped for better. His brothers and sisters had taken to Asgar just as he had hoped and he was so pleased. He couldn't wait to talk to Asgar about it, and also ask why he had decided to leave early. That had bothered him a bit but he didn't want to question Asgar in front of his siblings so he had let him take his leave.




My Lord My Prince Ch. 02



He was not in the front room where he usually liked to relax. This worried Hammand some more. He stepped into the bedchamber itself and saw the huge man immediately at the desk on the far end of the room. Asgar was hunched over it, a strange position. Like...like he was unhappy or something.

All his euphoria about the day disappeared in an instant and he went closer to his friend. He was unsure what to do; he had never seen Asgar this way before.

"Asgar..." he began tentatively "Are you okay?"

Asgar looked up slowly in surprise, his eyes dark and extremely sad. "You're back. I thought you wouldn't be in for a while..."

"You're sad... what happened? Did something happen... did I do something wrong? I had thought today went so well but..."

No answer.

"Asgar, tell me... please."

"I'm sorry Ham, its just... being with your family made me feel like I'm missing something," he said sadly looking at his hands. "It hit me hard... I mean if I at least had my memories I would have that, you know. But to not even have a little, to have nothing to hold on to, nothing to remember. All I keep getting are little flashes, nothing tangible. I have nothing Ham... nothing at all," he choked, bending over and pressing his face into his hands.

Hammand moved at once, standing in front of him and pulling his head up so it rested on his chest. Thankfully as Asgar was seated this was not difficult to do. The big man crumbled into tears as he breathed in Ham's scent, gripping the small man tight for comfort.

The prince rubbed Asgar's back and hair gently as he was racked with sobs, soothing him as best he could and whispering that he had him, he could be his family, he was here for him. His small hands felt so inadequate on the broad back, he didn't feel like he could do enough despite that he was rubbing as hard as he could. He rubbed his cheek against Asgar's hair, wishing he could absorb some of the sorrow.

He had no idea how much he soothed Asgar, just having him to lean on, to hold him, to listen to him, to help him let go and cry it all out. He had held on to the ache for so long and each day it had gotten worse and worse. Today was just the height and he was thankful Hammand was here for him. He knew he was not alone; Ham was right, he had him.

"I've got all of the advisers researching you, Asgar. Soon we will have something. I'm sure of it, it might take sometime without any leads but I'm sure they will be able to trace something in time... Please be patient. Don't be sad. I'll try and make you happy here, I promise... I promise."

Asgar looked up with so much love in his eyes. "Thank you," and crumbled all over again, the tears making his whole body shake. His head went back to Hammand's chest, burrowing back in.

"Oh Asgar," Hammand whispered as tears stung his eyes too at the sorrow he was witnessing. He tightened his hold on the big frame and tried to still the trembling. "You need to let it out whenever it bothers you. Just tell me about it, anything you think of, anytime. I'm always here. Don't bottle it up or it'll be an even bigger burden. Promise me you'll talk to me whenever that happens. Asgar..."

The large hands around him tightened as well and he was lifted off the ground swiftly onto Asgar's lap. He was straddling Asgar now, and the big man's head shifted into his shoulder, seemingly melting into him as the tears continued to flow, taking away his fright at the way he was now seated. 

"I promise..." He heard as he tried to ignore how he was feeling inside, how it felt like Asgar was sucking him in, how their bodies against each other felt like they had molded into one, how it felt so right, fit so right. He was so happy that Asgar had turned to him. He knew by now that the proud man was not one to show any form of weakness and that he could allow himself to break down in his arms confirmed their connection.

His legs went up to the chair at Asgar's back, wrapping round Asgar's waist of their own accord it seemed and then he was rocking the big man back and forth. He had to use all his strength to do this and even then only managed to move the man just a little bit. It however had some effect because slowly and much to Hammand's relief the crying ceased its course, the heaving body calming down until it only moved from his hiccups. He continued to stroke Asgar's hair and let his fingers run through the strands tenderly.

Asgar then took over the rocking, loving that the small man was wrapped around him, moving him until he was settled more comfortably, and tighter around him. He vaguely heard the small man gasp as he was pulled closer but he continued to do this until he felt they were as close as they could possibly be. 

Hammand nuzzled into his own neck too and Asgar let his face burrow deeper into the soft neck, now calm enough to breath in deep and register the delicious smell of the prince's soft skin. He smelled so good that Asgar could not resist running his nose gently across the length of the slender neck, not stopping even when the gasps began and the small body tensed and shuddered, limbs tightening around his body.

"As... gar..." Hammand gasped weakly, unsure what was happening.

Asgar's mind cleared when he heard his name and wondered what the hell he thought he was stirring up. Neither of them was ready for anything more, not that they even understood what more was anyway. He needed to stop. He managed to, much to Hammand's relief. He feared his body was getting out of control.

They stayed in companionable silence for a while and Asgar continued to rock them slowly, happy that his mind was full of Hammand rather than of his memory deprivation. It was a tremendous relief for him; the weight of that loss was too much. He knew the relief was temporary but he decided he would do as Hammand had said and talk about his feelings rather than bottle them up.

Hammand was good to him, good for him. 

He did not know how long they stayed like that but he heard the slow steady breathing against his neck and knew Hammand had fallen asleep in his arms. He chuckled to himself. He had definitely worn the little beauty out with his crying that was for sure. Goodness, he must have been crying for hours. That was what you got from holding things in too much and too long.

Standing up gently so as not to wake the prince up, he gently laid him on the bed and undressed him with eyes averted as best he could until he had him in his sleepwear and tucked into bed. As soon as his head hit the pillow beside Hammand's, he was asleep as well.

It had been a long and emotional night.

* * * *

Three months later.

That afternoon, Asgar was in the private royal kitchen with Miriam. Her official name now that Hammand was grown was the Queen's handmaiden even though her attentions were still mainly on Prince Hammand. Prince Hammand has been on his usual checkup at the healer's with his brothers and sisters. No one was allowed to go with them for this so, once every two weeks, Asgar was left without anything to do. 

Today, the prince was to be seen afterwards by the head healer since Hammand was next to come of age after his sisters. The head healer, as was tradition, was to confirm that he was truly as the healer said. It would take a whole day to get through after the checks and all its formalities. This would be the first time in ages that he had spent an entire day without Asgar since he had joined their household. He had promised to stop by when the entourage dropped off his brothers and sisters and after the meal they had privately with the King and Queen.

Asgar was chatting with Miriam, not realizing how much he was missing the prince until he heard the horn announcing their arrival. It took all his control not to run out to find him or try to catch a glimpse at least. He knew he had to wait for Hammand to find him for he would be going straight in for the royal meal. 

Miriam smiled to herself at his visible stiffening at the horn but she said nothing.

The hour he spent waiting felt like forever and his heart sank when he heard what sounded like the royal carriage moving. He now regretted not going out to the balcony to wave at Ham at least; that would definitely have been better than not seeing him at all for the entire day. He immediately lost his appetite for the food Miriam had just put before him and his shoulders slumped as he pushed the plate away. 

He went over to the water drum to get out water and wash his face. He needed to get a hold of himself. He was beginning to feel just how much the prince had gotten under his skin.

"Are you not going to eat, proud one?" Miriam asked quietly, handing him a small cloth to wipe his face. She always called him that and never would say why. He started to shake his head as he took the cloth from her and dried the excess water off.

She still said nothing and he was grateful for it. She did not take away the food though, but simply put a cover on it and placed a jug of water beside it as if he was coming back to it.

"Asgar!" that delicious voice rang in the air like music. His heart leapt and he whipped round, a beatific smile spreading across his face as the small prince flew into his arms. He laughed softly in relieved joy and hoisted him up. Small legs wrapped round his waist at once and he whirled the giggling beauty around.

They forgot the presence of Miriam in the room and were breathless in their joy in each other when Asgar finally stopped turning, their foreheads touching as they catch their breath. "I thought you weren't coming..." 

"I had to tell the carriage man I needed to go to the toilet just as we were leaving... he almost didn't agree to stop. I almost died," he giggled breathlessly. "Are you okay... what have you been doing?" He looked around, seeing Miriam for the first time and nodding in greeting.

"Missing you..." Asgar said, pretending to pout but really meaning what he was saying. Prince Hammand giggled shyly at his words and held up his closed hand between them.

"I saved you something," he whispered conspiratorially, "Remember those fruits I told you about, the special ones I told you mother hoards and we only eat once in a month if at all..." Asgar nodded, more mesmerized by the pouty lips before him than any fruits. The prince opened his palm and in it lay two chunky red glistening fruits shaped like hearts. Two hearts.

How apt Asgar thought, opening his mouth slowly, eyes trained on the prince's face and not the fruit.

Hammand was a bit surprised at this, shy at having to feed the big man. He could see that was what Asgar wanted. His eyes flickered nervously for a split second and then he was drawn to that open mouth, dazedly slipping the soft squishy fruit into it. He gasped as Asgar's mouth grasped his fingers along with the fruit and sucked them in, a jolt of pleasure dancing down his spine. 

He was red with embarrassment but Asgar set him on the worktop and took the other fruit out of his still open palm, holding it to his lips. He shook his head, "It's for you. I've already had some..." 

"No my prince, I'm sharing it with you... open up. No no no, say ah." He nudged the fruit against Prince Ham's lips, crushing the soft fruit against the sulking mouth so the small man was forced to open up when the juice started to dribble down his chin. Asgar squeezed the fruit into the prince's mouth. Ham was gasping and trying to catch it all when Asgar, just as he was removing his fingers from Ham's mouth, bent over and licked at the dribbling liquid on his prince's chin.

More gasps with a full mouth led to more dribbling and more licking. When Prince Hammand had finally managed to eat the fruit, he was spluttering and glaring at Asgar who was smiling mischievously at him.

"It was for you!" he groaned, bubbling with an intense, but unknown, excitement.

"I know my prince," Asgar tilted his head to the side slightly, hooded eyes twinkling, "I think I have tasted it before. It's as delicious as you said it would be. But is it bad that I wanted to share it with you, just like you wanted to share yours with me?"

Prince Hammand relented, "I guess..." Asgar kept staring at him in that hypnotic way he had so he looked away shyly, playfully punching the broad powerful chest. "Okay, okay. It's not bad!" The big man laughed and grabbed the prince's upper arms, wrapping them round his neck. He swung him off the worktop and onto him again.

The prince loved being with the huge man, he made him feel so much. He was always such a bundle of nerves because he never knew what Asgar would do next. 

"You have to go my prince." Asgar murmured into the ear of the man he held snugly in his arms. "The carriage is waiting." 

"I know..." came the sulky murmur. "I hate these stupid tests! They are horrible!"

"Don't worry, it'll stop soon remember? Then you won't ever have to do them any longer. Just a few more to go..." Asgar set him down slowly, still coaxing, "I'll see you in a few hours, okay." 

Prince Hammand nodded in resignation.

Then unexpectedly, he leaned up on tiptoe and kissed Asgar's cheek. Leaving the huge man wide eyed in surprise and God knows what else, he started to rush off. He was caught from behind before he could get far by large arms that went round his waist and pressed him back and up against that powerful chest. Asgar returned the kiss in his own way, burying his face in the small man's neck and grating his teeth over the tender skin. Prince Hammand's toes curled in the air and he moaned in dazed shock at the fiery sensations that swept through him. 

He was trembling so much that when Asgar set him back down he had to hold him steady for a while. He turned the little man to face him to see if he was okay; he knew he had gotten a bit carried away there. The prince nodded shyly to say he was okay and Asgar kissed his forehead and let him go. His eyes remained on Hammand as the small beauty rushed out, a tad shakily, to the waiting carriage.

Running a hand over his face, he walked back to the table and sat down heavily. Things were getting more heated between them with each passing day, he knew that. He also knew he would have to control himself more, Hammand was a prince; not just anyone to be toyed with. A voice broke through his thoughts. Miriam.

"Are you ready to eat now, proud one?" He nodded sheepishly, realizing she had probably seen their antics. His food was put before him again. "Thank you." He said as he began to eat quietly.

"You know you cannot do more than touch him right?" Miriam said, amused as Asgar spluttered in surprised embarrassment and came very close to choking on his food. "I see a lot of things, proud one. I can see you are drawn to him."


Asgar frowned "I am, very much..." he stared at his food as acceptance dawned on him. 

"I know... but you can't do more than touch him... not yet anyway."

"Touch him? Why would I want to–" Her raised hand cut him off in mid-sentence. 

"There's no need to deny it to me. I see both of you together and I can see what is growing. I have no issues with two men being together... just not yet."

"What do you mean?" Asgar had given up the denial stance.

"Don't you know what these checks are? I used to take Prince Hammand for them myself before he got old enough to go by himself."

"Not really, the prince says they are to make sure all the royal children remain in perfect health at all times..."

"Yes, partly. But that is all the children are told. The checks are to make sure they remain virgins until they come of age or are married off, whichever comes first and depending on what position the child is in hierarchy. If they are found deflowered, the closest to them would be slaughtered immediately, no questions asked, in the presumption that it is that person who did the deflowering. In the Prince Hammand's case, that would obviously be you."

Asgar was shocked at this information and was about to ask if Hammand knew of this when Miriam stopped him. "The royals do not and are not to know about this. You can never tell Prince Hammand and you can never have sexual relations with him. Not until after he officially comes of age. For the prince that will be when he turns 24."

* * * *

They were silent for a while as Asgar ate. He was deep in thought, wondering if he could broach the deeply personal subject with her. He hoped he was right and braced himself for whatever reaction was to come. He just needed to know.

Clearing his throat, he began tentatively. "About that... what you just told me." Miriam inclined her head in his direction. "I was wondering if you knew any other people like... us."

"Yes, I do know a few. Why do you ask?"

"I think I might need help... direction... in that. I know for sure I have been with a woman before or at least I have a good idea what it entails. But with a man... I have no idea... at all." 

"Oh."

"Yeah."

More silence.

"I'm sorry to bring this up and I'm not asking so that I'll act on it now. I just want an idea so that when the time comes. If it ever comes that is... I'll know... you know, with the prince. He is so innocent, I cannot expect–"

Miriam smiled at his rambling, watching as his face reddened. That was a first. "You know this is an extremely sensitive issue." Asgar nodded slowly, gulping in embarrassment but willing her to continue. "So even though I do know a few people that might be able in a position to show you how such 'relations' is done, we cannot take that chance. Tongues wag a lot and if it concerns the prince I reckon it would spread like wildfire."

"So there's no chance then?" She watched as his shoulders slumped.

"There is one..."

Asgar sat up straight with interest. "We can ask the spirits." His eyes widened in disbelief. Miriam nodded at his unasked question. 

"Yes, the spirits. Has the prince not told you what I do? I am not only his second mother or handmaiden to the Queen, you know. Before all this I was first the and foremost, the priestess of Akin Ra."

"Akin Ra? Bringer and protector of life." Asgar whispered instinctively, tensing in surprise as he spoke the words he had no idea he knew. Where did that come from?

"You know of Akin Ra?"

"I am surprised at myself," the big man muttered to himself. He shook his head as if to clear it. "It just came out of nowhere. My memory is all over the place... as usual."

"Don't apologize Asgar. I am happy that you at least know of Akin Ra even if it is at a subconscious level. That, in itself, is a good sign. You might be able to draw out some sight since you acknowledge the existence." Asgar nodded silently, though still at a loss.

She watched his reaction as she cleared away his dishes. "Do you think you're up for it?"

"Yes. Yes, I am," Asgar took a deep but shaky breath. "How does it work? Is that sight like a vision?"

Miriam nodded. "You are spending tomorrow with me aren't you?"

"Yes, Ham is going to see the Ciz advisers with the Crown Prince."

"Okay, we will do it tomorrow then. Be sure not to mention it to Prince Hammand."

Asgar nodded but frowned a bit, uncomfortable with this idea. "Why?" he asked, "I don't exactly keep anything from him Miriam."

"I am sorry to ask this of you. But you cannot tell him because it may lead to him wanting to try it out too soon and that could lead to questions as to why you can't bond with him now..."

"I see what you mean." She was right about that even though he could not really see his innocent prince questioning him like that.

"Okay?"

Asgar nodded, hoping that keeping this secret from Prince Hammand wouldn't be difficult.

By the next morning, after seeing the reluctant prince off, Asgar and Miriam left for the temple itself. They went by foot and it was a long way indeed. It was a good thing the prince was to be gone the whole day for the temple appeared to be deep in the forest.




My Lord My Prince Ch. 03



CHAPTER THREE

Chief Manz had planned an official visit to the neighboring region of Renakan. Prince Hammand was expected to travel with his parents and sisters while his brothers were left to man the fort in their father's absence.

Asgar was more than happy to go along. He knew that the more places he traveled, the better his chances of discovering where he could be from. Any place was better than no place. And it gave him some peace knowing that he was searching, albeit not of his own choice.

The only snag was the extremely uncomfortable ride on the carriage. Despite being bigger and more spacious than the one that carried the rest of the servants and slaves, having to sit on a meager cushion (which Hammand had snuck underneath him when no one was looking) on the floor for the entire ten hour bumpy journey was not his idea of enjoyment. The horses that pulled the carriage were fast and he felt every stop and jerk they made.

At least this told him he was definitely not used to travelling this way. So his previous station couldn't be too low down the ladder... could he? It was not like his bones were breaking or anything; it was having to sit in one crouched position for so long with no room to stretch his long limbs. There were only two stops made the whole time, not nearly enough to relieve him. Maybe he wasn't as strong as he thought.

He couldn't look out of the window to see the various sights they passed but Hammand made sure to describe everything he saw of interest. Asgar knew that Hammand worried about his reaction for he had nervously explained how the trip might be uncomfortable for him on and on until Asgar had had to distract him.

Since they had climbed into the carriage Hammand had remained apprehensive and kept touching Asgar at his feet with as much subtlety as he could. It was only when the big man shifted backwards so that the prince's legs were against his back that Hammand relaxed a little.

Asgar noticed the princesses were watching them with interest now. A lot of interest. He knew that if they had not guessed there was something between them the night he met them, they probably would be getting there now. He wasn't sure this was a good thing.

* * * *

They arrived in the city of Renakan late at night and were heartily welcomed by the royal family. There was Chief Ker, his Queen Camarina and their array of four daughters, all good-looking but not overly beautiful.

Renakan was on the lower rung of power amongst the regions, so they had a big impression to make, for Renadi was the third richest in the whole land. The first was Renan, the mainland where the King lived, a most beautiful and wondrous place and the second was Renagoa.

The Renakans orchestrated an entourage of half-naked dancers and acrobats, all dressed in fantastic attires with elaborate decorations covering the carriages that bore them and exotic animals to escort them into the city from its gates. It was as if the entire people of the city were out in the square heralding their arrival.

That was when it irked Prince Hammand a bit; what was all the fuss for? He had visited other lower rung regions in the past and granted, there had always been pomp and pageantry but not like this. It was then that he began to wonder if there was something else going on.

When they were led into the palace, royals first, Asgar got a chance to stretch his long limbs and have a look around. Asgar could see that from the wealth displayed in the palace, that Renakan was a relatively rich place. But it was not nearly as grand or as large as Renadi, you could tell from the small city gate. He felt nothing familiar about the city; it was all strange to him, even the dialect the people spoke. His heart sank, just a little bit.

Soon it was obvious that Prince Hammand was the centre of attention, which was strange considering that he was not the heir to the Renadi throne. Asgar noticed that the red carpet was littered with flowers only when Prince Hammand walked past and he was put to the right of the Chief Ker.

Something was up, Asgar could tell.

Luckily, Prince Hammand was in no mood for entertainment and when they were all in the confines of the throne room, he immediately but politely asked to go to bed. His sisters joined in as well, yawning for good measure. Their hosts understood this and offered them a light supper to be eaten in their respective chambers before slumber.

The girls were shown their bedchamber first and Hammand saw them settled in before he headed for his.

Once they had eaten and were ready for bed, all the servants left. Prince Hammand turned to Asgar apologetically.

"I'm okay my prince..." Asgar said unnecessarily. But his voice was weary. The prince said nothing, just pushed Asgar onto the bed and pulled his slippers off. Maneuvering the huge man onto his belly he clambered onto Asgar's broad back.

He ignored the feeble protests that the tired man tried to make and began to massage his shoulders and lower back as best he could. He felt so guilty when he got to his buttocks, very sore indeed judging from the subtle catch in Asgar's breath as he began to knead into them; thinking he would need to ensure that he had his own carriage next time they went on a journey. No way he was putting Asgar through this again, he didn't care how strong Asgar was. It had been a long tiresome journey in an uncomfortable position. Besides, everyone needed taking care of by the one they... he closed his eyes at this thought and took a deep breath... loved.

By the time he had slowly worked his way down to Asgar's legs, the big man was fast asleep. Hammand smiled in delight, as he made sure he covered Asgar with the soothing ointment before tucking him in. He snuggled in tight beside him, yawning and falling asleep almost immediately.

* * * *

They were both so tired that they did not awaken at their normal early hour. It was nice that Hammand had no duties for a change and he wanted to make the most of it. He also wanted Asgar to rest a bit more.

His deep slumber confirmed how tired he was when the servant's tentative knocking did nothing to rouse him at all.

"We are here to ready you for the morning, our Prince." Thankfully they didn't dare come in.

The prince called out sternly that he was not to be bothered for the next three hours. Asgar just slept on through it. Hammand joined him soon enough, enjoying the sight of his slave's relaxed face for a while.

An hour later, his sisters burst in excitedly, eager to start their tour of the place and people.

They found their brother and his slave fast asleep in each other's arms, lost to the world. Arina and Kitina stared at each other and then at the bed again, both inwardly thankful that it had been them that had burst in and not their mother for they both looked so... intimate.

It was almost like Hammand was in a cocoon. He was curled completely into Asgar, who was tilted sideways yet holding Hammand tight against him. Asgar's huge frame was wrapped around the prince so you could hardly see him. Their legs were tangled, with Hammand's little leg thrown over the huge man's toned thigh.

Even as they awakened slowly, they remained in tune with each other, nuzzling into each other's faces, bodies stretching and tangling even more before snuggling back again as if to go back to sleep further.

That is until Asgar turned sleepily. And stiffened.

He said nothing, but his body language alerted a sleepy Hammand and he turned as well, eyes widening in shock as he scrambled to sit upright. He grew beet red in embarrassment as he tugged the covers over Asgar's half-naked body, thankful that he was fully dressed at least.

"Wh-what ar-e you girls doing here?" he managed, looking around helplessly.

"Waking you up Hammand?" Princess Arina said softly. There was confusion on her face.

"You didn't knock." He protested half-heartedly.

"Yes we did." She said, getting a mighty nudge from her sister.

"No we didn't!" Princess Kitina confessed excitedly.

"Okay fine, we didn't knock. We wanted to surprise you. But it looks like you've surprised us."

Asgar stood up at that, knowing they needed to talk, preferably without him present. "I'll go prepare the bath, my prince. Good morning Princesses." They returned his greeting with a nod, Princess Kitina trying hard not to smile.

"Asgarrr...?" Hammand began with a frown. He didn't care that his sisters knew about them. It was a relief actually, albeit an embarrassing one. He wanted the whole world to know but he had especially been aching to tell them.

"You need to talk with them, my prince." Asgar said as he held the bedchamber door open. "I will only be right out here in the bath chamber... if you need me."

Hammand nodded sulkily, slumping back into the bed. His sisters jumped into bed with him as soon as Asgar was out the door, consumed with giggles and talking over themselves.

"What's going on?"

"Mother will kill you! In your bed!"

"Have you been with him?"

"You better not have!"

"Stop okay!" he laughed, raising both hands. "We haven't done anything. I just like to keep him close, that's all."

"Very close it seems," said Princess Arina, the voice of the most reason between the twin girls. "You have to be careful Hammand. It could have been mother who walked in not us. Imagine that. You could get your Asgar punished. You know she wouldn't hesitate."

Hammand shrugged off the shiver of dread that coursed through him. "No one comes into our presence without knocking. You know that! The servants were here much earlier and I sent them away. If you had only knocked..."

"Fine, we should have knocked. We apologize. Still this is very serious. I mean I sensed your closeness with him that day we met him but not like this." Arina scolded, a deep frown creasing her beautiful face. "Hammand..."

"I think I love him." Hammand confessed, getting it out in the open.

"Oh Hammand. You cannot!" That was very different from simply keeping him close, Kitina thought.

Hammand held his head in his hands and his sisters were at his side at once. "You think I don't know? But that's how I feel. I can't help it. At first I thought it would dwindle away but everyday it feels like I love him more and more. I feel like I'm going to burst soon if we keep hiding it. This secret is such a burden."

The twins were speechless at his intense expression of emotion, realizing that their little brother must truly be in love.

He went on. "I didn't choose to fall for him. It just happened. Now I feel like I would die for him."

"Oh brother." Kitina whispered soothingly.

"He is so magnificent... Shetna says he may be of royal blood. Honestly now, that is my only hope, because I know mother and father will never let me be with a slave."

"You want to be with him?" Princess Arina asked tentatively. "You want to be wed to him?"

He didn't look up.

"But if he is royal and you kept him as a slave that is not good either." Kitina added. "You know the law."

"Yes. I know." He answered their questions simultaneously.

Keeping a royal or nobleman as a slave was a serious offence entrenched eons ago after the Masik War. In Goren, where there are no more royals left to rule a region whether by death or misadventure, the land is shared amongst all the regions it shared a border with.

Due to this, the war saw royals disappearing like wild fire and a good number of regions were lost due to this madness. This was what gave birth to the rule. To keep the regions, whether at war or not, from taking neighboring royals into slavery to reduce their lineage and take their land. And it applied and remained punishable even if there was no such intention.

Punishable by death.

Hammand blinked and pushed those thoughts out of his mind.

"But you cannot!"

"I cannot be without him!"

"You have to be careful brother. No one can know about this."

"So you will not tell?"

"Of course not! Never! How can you think so ill of us?" they lamented in indignation.

Princess Kitina giggled conspiratorially. "Oh to love like you do would be beautiful." Her voice was wistful. They had been seeking betrothals for a while now after all. Everyone knew to find love was better. If only.

Hammand smiled at this, blushing prettily.

There came a knock on the door. "Asgar?" Hammand checked.

"Yes my prince." Came the rumbling voice. "Your bath is ready." The girls giggled.

Hammand called out for him to come in as he shooed his sisters out, promising to meet them in a short while for breakfast. They made their way out past Asgar, who bowed respectfully. Princess Arina stopped in front of him, a finger on his chest.

"You will protect him?" She stated firmly, not really asking. Hammand hovered behind her, looking apologetically at the huge slave.

Asgar raised his eyes to look intently at Prince Hammand as he responded quietly but clearly. "With my life, my lady."

Hammand could swear he felt those words before Asgar said them and he thought his heart would burst.

* * * *

Through their one-week stay, the reason Prince Hammand was the centre of attention soon became clear. Chief Ker kept seating Hammand beside his eldest daughter Princess Sava at mealtimes and Queen Camarina kept talking about how good they looked together. This seemed to always bring hearty laughs out of Prince Hammand's parents.

Asgar felt sick to his stomach, just about managing to keep a straight stern face as he stood behind Hammand and watched it all. It hurt to watch, his heart was wringing in his chest. Asgar longed to be out of sight of all this constant torture so he could get a breath of fresh air. Hammand kept turning to him and making him bend over to listen. He had to eventually ask him to stop as he noticed Hammand's mother staring daggers at him.

Not that this deterred her; Queen Shila was very sharp. She queried who he was out loud in front of everyone and the prince had to go through a lengthy explanation about where he had come from and why she had not officially met him in all this time. She didn't seem to like his excuses at all despite all the explanations Hammand tried. He knew she didn't push it because of where they were.

One evening when they were being shown the palace pets, an array of exotic creatures, Hammand walked side by side with his parents. His sisters walked further ahead, having made friends with the younger of the Renakan princesses. Asgar kept a very respectable distance, intermingling every now and then with the other slaves trailing the royals.

"What do you think of Sava, son?" his father asked Prince Hammand in passing.

He shrugged. "She... is a bit amu-sing," he offered, not sure what he was supposed to say. "I haven't really talked to her much."

"Well, now that we have seen her, I think your mother and I can tell you now that Princess Sava is a possible bride for you. That was the reason for this visit—to test your compatibility."

"My compati-? Wh-at? You can't be serious father?" he gasped, turning to his mother who sported a very straight innocent face. "Mother?"

She said nothing.

"Why was I not told of this before now? Do I not have the right to know that I am being considered for marriage? I don't even see Princess Sava like that! I can't just marry her!"

He was so upset by this and even moreso by the fact that his parents were not interested in his opinion. He could not believe a girl had already been picked out without them consulting him at all. And to top it all; bringing him to Renakan without any idea of the betrothal.

To think he had been sitting with her all these days, wondering why she was so nervous and jittery. She probably knew what it was all about. Gods, he felt so stupid. At least her parents had the propriety to tell her about it.

After marriage he knew he would no longer be able to have Asgar close to him like he was now; no slave would be allowed to sleep in his bedchamber let alone his bed. The only person allowed such privileges would be his wife.

"Come Hammand. Calm yourself." His mother spoke finally. "Remember, nothing has been decided as yet so there is no need to be apprehensive."

"I don't want to marry someone I do not know or love. You know that mother. I've talked to you about this. Why is father-..."

"Time will tell. You never know, do you?"

He still remained unhappy and asked to be excused to use the bathroom as they walked out of the caged area to the fields to watch some performance.

Asgar followed, walking closely behind Hammand as they made their way to the bedchamber. He hadn't heard what was said but he had a feeling it was not good from Hammand's tense disposition.

The prince's emotions escalated as he walked and he had to stop for a minute when they were out of sight of his parents and the princesses to get control of himself with heaving breaths. Asgar said nothing, just pressed his frame against Hammand's back and let his warmth soothe the hurting prince until he could move again.

Once they entered the chamber and closed the door behind them, Hammand turned to Asgar and was lifted into his arms where he began to cry.

"I don't want to marry some strange girl..." he sobbed into Asgar's shoulder. Asgar rocked him gently, rubbing his back to soothe him.

Asgar's heart clenched painfully at the news. "Ham, you need to talk to them more about this. Make them understand how you feel. They just might listen. After all, there is no hurry is there? A visit is not a betrothal; nothing has been announced or set in stone. You can always marry someone else."

Hammand slowly calmed down as he listened to the big man. They had no idea that Hammand's father was marrying him off for a reason, Hammand was the youngest royal after all. Despite feeling better, he refused to go back out to watch the performance, sending a message to say he was unwell.

Instead he clung to Asgar, fearful all of a sudden of losing their connection, their closeness. He couldn't lose this, not now, not ever. He didn't want to get married to anyone, except... his proud, big slave.

His Asgar.

* * * *

The next day, Hammand could not be bothered to go out for any of the scheduled activities. He feigned an illness and spent the day in with Asgar. His parents knew very well that he was sulking. They let him be, even though his absence was doing little for heir plan.

Asgar was sitting on the edge of the bed, cleaning their sandals and the prince was standing by the window, looking out thoughtfully. You could hear the roaring of the crowds enjoying the festivities that had been planned for them. Normally Hammand would have been very interested in watching it all. Now he was just angry and so very afraid. It upset Asgar to see him this way.

"You said you remember being with women. Did you enjoy it?"

Asgar frowned. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering what it would be like to be... be with a woman. I've never -- we're not allowed to sleep with anyone until we get married. My parents say it is against the law for a royal to marry unclean." He paused in thought, cheeks brightening steadily. "Anyway, I've never had the urge to be with a woman but my brothers... Miriam practically implanted it in my brain over the years, I think I might be scarred for life." He laughed remembering her words, "I can quote her 'No sex with anyone, no one, not ever. Until the time is right' I had to repeat it almost ten times a day from when I turned thirteen. It was hell."

Asgar laughed along with him, unable to resist querying further, "So what would happen if you did?"

"Nothing much I guess, except being a source of shame to the bloodline. I'm not sure if it's ever happened before in Renadi. But it might have in the other regions." He thought for a bit




My Lord My Prince Ch. 03



then perked up as he recalled something. "There was one time Jinor got in trouble. He almost bonded with father's closest adviser's daughter. There was so much fear in the air while the investigations were carried out, you would have thought someone was going to get killed or something. The adviser was the worst, he kept crying as if it had been him that had been caught with Jinor. Even Father was somber. I'll never forget it; Miriam didn't let me forget. I was quite young then but she got a good chance to knock the fear of the gods into me."

Asgar said nothing even though he itched to tell him what he had discovered. But he could not. Telling Hammand that anyone he was caught bonding with would be slaughtered would only terrify him more than he already was. There was no good in that. Besides, it was not his place to tell him. Prince Hammand would be told when the time was right.

"So you have your eye on someone?"

"No!" Prince Hammand gasped, fearing his emotions were bare. "Of course not!"

"Then why are you asking?"

"I just wanted to know how it was like to make... love to... to a woman, that's all."

"You really want to know?"

"Yes," the prince whispered, "Yes I do." He really just wanted to know how Asgar made love, so he could dream about it.

"Are you sure?"

Prince Hammand moved away from the window and walked up to Asgar. He settled down at Asgar's feet like a child listening to a fairytale, resting his chin on the big man's right knee. Asgar chuckled, dropping the polishing cloth and tousling his prince's hair.

His fingers gently slid down and stroked Hammand's lips. "You start with kissing her..." he began slowly, his mind going right back to his vision as it had been doing every day and every night since he had gone to the shrine with Miriam.

"You kiss her face, her neck." Long fingers trailed round his face and down the sides of his neck. "You can use your teeth on her neck. Be gentle mind, and make sure she enjoys what you do before you continue."

"How will I know she is in enjoyment?"

"From the sounds she makes when you do it. She might tell you too. But you'll know." He paused, watching the small man who gulped and nodded for him to carry on. "Then you move to her breasts. Cup them in your hands..."

"What if she had really small breasts? I mean, almost flat, like a... a man's?"

Trying not to wince at the specific question, which sounded like Ham really did have someone in mind, Asgar continued. "Well -- it doesn't matter how small her breasts are. You can focus on her nipples."

"Oh." I have nipples, Hammand thought.

"You can lick them, suck them, roll them against your palms." He snickered as Hammand held up his hands in interest. "Come up here." Despite saying that, he lifted Hammand up like he was a feather and laid him on the bed. "I can show you as well as tell you."

He climbed over Hammand's tense body, straddling his hips but not putting his weight on him.

Flattening his palms over the small chest he simulated rolling and stroking without touching the prince.

"Move downwards slowly - kiss her belly and tease it with your fingers." He shifted down as he spoke, sliding his hands underneath Hammand's slim thighs and lifting them up and apart. "Open her thighs slowly, stroke them but don't go between them just yet."

Prince Hammand's eyebrows raised in confusion. A shiver went through him as Asgar lifted both his legs up, placing his feet against each cheek so he could feel Asgar's breath on them.

"Stroke her legs..." Long thick fingers threaded through and over the prince's toes, making them curl involuntarily. Asgar knew exactly what he was doing. "Kiss her toes --"

"Kiss them?" Hammand's voice was hoarse at the thought of Asgar doing this to his toes.

"Yes, kiss them one by one. You don't have to, but with someone you love and want to give as much pleasure as possible to, it's always good to be thorough. Remember, you need to know every single inch of her so that you know everything she enjoys."

He continued. "Now, lick her toes but watch for her reaction. If she seems to like it, keep licking them."

Hammand gulped as his feet were slowly lowered and moved further apart as Asgar crept closer. His heart caught in his throat as the big man stared down at him. He could feel the heat rising in his face as Asgar loomed over his hips. Oh god, not there!

"Kiss down her legs until you get between them. Her opening should be wet and almost ready for you by now..."

"Wet?" He couldn't get wet. There was no opening to get wet from. That wasn't good.

"Yes, a woman's opening becomes moist when she is aroused. It is how her body prepares itself for a man."

"Oh. What-what if she isn't wet-moist?"

"Well, then she might be really nervous or you're doing something wrong. But don't let that stop you. Lick her down there, all over. Take a lot of time there, that should make her ready."

He moved up, pretending he did not notice the prince's constrained erection so close to his face. He was thrilled he was affecting him like this even though deep inside he feared it might be the idea of what he could do to a woman that was getting Hammand so aroused.

He was over Hammand's face now, their eyes locking. "Your cock should be ready to go by now."

Hammand gulped. Yes it was.

"You move your hips between her thighs like this." The pressure of Asgar's hips against his inner thighs made his cock start to twitch... and he felt something hard and hot twitch right back, right between his legs.

The prince swallowed his gasp, biting his lip as subtly as he could.

"Place your cock at her entrance and then hold her." He gathered the small man to him, watching his eyes widen. "Then push in slowly --"

This time, Prince Hammand did gasp. "Push into her?" Not good.

"Yes, the moistness comes from the opening where all women give birth. That's where you go into."

"I know." I most definitely have not got that... what was the point? Asgar couldn't want him that way.

At that moment of realization, he retreated into himself. Asgar noticed the change in his countenance immediately.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently, stroking his hair as he pulled away a little. But Hammand had broken eye contact and wouldn't look at him anymore.

"I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's just..." the rest of his words were an incoherent mumble. I wish I were a woman. Then Asgar would want me.

* * * *

The next day was even worse. Hammand spent the entire morning in his mother's chamber like Asgar advised, trying to convince her that he could not marry the princess. He tried to explain that he did not feel even the slightest attraction to her. She did not agree with him and instead seemed very interested in why he was so close to his slave.

He returned back to his chamber even more dejected but he did not have time to talk to Asgar about it as he was summoned for a late banquet. They arrived in the royal court and Hammand was whisked as usual to stand beside Princess Sava. It was as if everyone in the city was in court. The court was overflowing with people and buzzing with excitement.

The royal crier stood in the centre of the great room, on a small podium used for entertainment. His gongs of different sizes and sound streams surrounded him, hanging all over his body. He maneuvered them expertly and they clanged loudly. An announcement was about to be made.

"Noble people of Renakan, hear the joyful tidings. Hear ye all that from this day forward, we shall have a mighty union with Renadi. A union that will last forever! A union that will strengthen our regions! A union that will change the face of all Goren! Prince Hammand of Renadi is to marry our beautiful Crown Princess Sava!"

There was loud applause and screams of delight from the court. Music began streaming in from somewhere at the back of the room.

"The seals of both regions have been placed on the royal agreement! We shall have the official betrothal ceremony after the regional festival! By order of our mighty chief, we are one with Renadi! From now henceforth, we are one with Renadi! All say with me, one with Renadi!"

Hammand stood shocked as the court screamed as prompted, his whole body shaking. The Chief Ker of Renakan was beaming proudly and so was Princess Sava. His parents were just sitting there, looking quite smug but deliberately avoiding his glare. He felt his insides churn.

"With all your heart, one with Renadi!"

Asgar has been watching from his vantage point as he always did and seeing his love's reaction, stepped towards him. There were loud drum rolls now and the audience of noblemen milled around the royal parents, congratulating them on the praiseworthy agreement.

Asgar knelt before the prince (for the benefit of the crowd), looking up solemnly at his stricken face. Hammand's chest was heaving and his lower lip was trembling. He was going to cry soon, Asgar could just feel it.

"Your chamber my prince?" He whispered so only Hammand could hear, knowing the prince needed to escape right now before he broke down and shamed himself. And such outbursts were never forgotten; somehow he knew that from his own experience in court even though he could not remember the specifics. Better that the audience have a fleeting memory of a fanciful gesture by a slave than a memory of a shameful act unbefitting of their future chief which was what Hammand would become when he married their crown princess.

Prince Hammand nodded shakily without a word, his hand reaching out for Asgar. There was a disruption of the excitement as Asgar pulled Hammand to him, his arms going round him. The huge man gently lifted the prince shoulder high as if in victorious celebration, his strong arms wrapped round the prince's small thighs. The buzz resumed and he quietly strode out of the hall with Hammand.

Once they were out of the vicinity of the people, Asgar lowered Hammand to chest level. The prince buried his face in the crook of Asgar's neck and swung his legs tight round his waist. He was shaking even worse now. The sobs began just as the huge man reached his prince's rooms.

Thankfully at court, the crier did not stop in his stride, if anything he pushed harder. "Show your support, one with Renadi!" The people were a bit confused at the prince's departure but thankfully not at the fact that his slave had lifted him up in pride. "Let the heavens hear us, one with Renadi!"

But exhilaration surpassed confusion just as Asgar had hoped. In quick time too.

"For our beautiful princess, one with Renadi!" With that scream, the court burst out with renewed vigor. All was forgotten. They had their princess and she was betrothed.

"Some slave..." said Queen Shila, her usual aloofness shaken by the sight of her son's departure. She, like her Chief, was glad of the crier's ability to control the court. He had saved them from embarrassment. But even more, the slave had saved face for the future King of Renakan.

She forced down the guilt at her bad handling of the situation. Her chief had had the same worries as her, that Hammand would refuse an arranged marriage from the start. They had both seen how much of a romantic he was growing up. Doing it this way was the best way. She would deal with him and the slave business later.

Her suspicions were quickening like wild fire. She knew her son was a virgin. That was still checked regularly and would continue until he turned twenty-four as was the law. The healer had his ways of checking if a man or woman had penetrated or been penetrated by another. In fact Hammand had been checked a few days before their trip here so he definitely was not having sex with that so called companion of his.

But still... their connection was obvious from what had just happened. It looked like love... or something close to it at least. Either way, it looked dangerous. She knew she needed to nip it in the bud, for plans were well under way for this marriage. Her son would—must—become the Crown Prince Hammand of Renakan.

Asgar however, was an instant hit. Rumors filtered to them that all of the nobles in Renakan suddenly wanted huge strong "companions"—the more similar to Asgar, the better. Somehow they now believed this was the way of the Renadi people, their new family. It was madness.

* * * *

As soon as they returned to Renadi, Prince Hammand sought Miriam's counsel.

Hammand had slept quite well the night after the terrible news, maybe because he had cried so much. Asgar of course had been wonderful, taking him out of court before he had started to cry in front of everyone. He loved him even more for it.

The thought of being separated from him had reinforced Hammand's knowledge that this friendship they had was a lot more to him than that. The first and only thing he had thought of since he was told about the impending marriage was, I can't leave Asgar. Its Asgar I want to marry.

Of course he could not voice that thought. It was terrible enough to his own ears, much less his family. His parents would probably have Asgar killed for that; even Asgar would be appalled if he knew. He didn't understand his own feelings at all. He had wished them away so many times that now he was too overwhelmed to bother, for they never budged, only grew more intense with each passing day, fostered by something as simple as a smile or a hug from the big man.

He wanted to talk to Miriam alone, so he had urged Asgar go to Shetna when the big man said he wanted to find out what the advisers researching him had found out so far.

He told her all about Renakan, Princess Sava, the unexpected betrothal and his sad disappointment in his parents' secrecy. It seemed she could say nothing to make him feel better. She suspected there was more to it.

"Did you know about it?"

"Of course not. You know no one would tell me you were about to be betrothed especially if it was to be kept from you." She stated with a scowl. "You should know that by now." His face fell apologetically.

"I don't see why you need to be married off now. Maybe you should talk to your mother a bit more, ask for a for time to think about it." She itched to ask what Asgar thought about the whole situation and wondered why he wasn't here with the prince.

"I have tried that Miriam. But the betrothal date has been set already. Mother refuses otherwise and Father agrees with her. What is the point of having time to think about it when I am already betrothed anyway? That's as good as married is it not? Have you known of anyone that reneged after a betrothal? I haven't."

"It is still better than nothing my son..."

"I wish I were a woman," he told Miriam. He sounded completely dejected.

Miriam whirled around, still holding the chopping knife. Her face was filled with confusion. "Why in the name of the gods would you want that?

"Asgar..." he whispered, choking on his words and wiping away the lone tear that trailed down his right cheek. "Because then Asgar would want me."

Oh, she thought, that was it.

"What makes you think he doesn't want you now?" she asked in surprise, wondering if what she had sensed growing, what she had seen between them that afternoon in her kitchen, was

all wrong. She knew Asgar was not against being with the prince. She had thought Prince Hammand knew this too.

Apparently not.

"He wants a woman.," Hammand said. When she opened her mouth to ask, he stopped her. "He said so himself."

"Are you sure he said that?" Miriam pressed, knowing better.

He said enough. "Yes he did," he muttered as his shoulders slumped even further.

"And how do you feel about him?"

"You know how I feel."

"I do, but does he?"

The prince shook his head.

"Maybe you should try telling him how you feel."

He groaned and buried his head in the cradle his arms had made on the table. "I cannot. I do not want him to feel obliged to return my feelings or words. I want him to love me of his own accord. For that I cannot tell him. Ever."

She understood his fear and longed to tell him what she knew. But it was not her place to do so. He would know when the time was right and if it was the will of Akin Ra.

"It can only get worse. He may meet someone... " He let out a painful gasp at the thought. "I am such a fool, mother. Why do I hope for something that is impossible? Maybe I should give him his freedom and save myself all this heartache. Maybe I should let him go and simply get married to Princess Sava."

"You could."

There was silence for a while. Miriam sat down, her work forgotten in her concern.

"But I'm selfish. I want him." He looked up at Miriam, with tear-filled eyes. "I need him. I don't want to set him free. I know it's selfish. But I can't help that I don't want to let him out of my sight for even a second. If he is free, he will leave to find his roots... his life. I know he would."

"You can't be sure he would do that."

"But I can't let him go!"

Miriam took his arm and pulled him with her over to the large, more comfortable cushion. They both settled into it and he leaned on her shoulder, fighting tears of frustration.

"Time will tell, my son. You are good to him; he is happy with you. There is a strong connection between you. You never know what the future could hold for both of you."

Hammand snuffled, looking up. "What do you mean mother? What can the future possibly hold?"

"Just that. Be patient my son. Time will tell if he is to be yours and you his."

"So there's no way I can become a woman?"

"No my son. Akin Ra has not given me such powers."

"But can you ask? Pray? Offer a rich sacrifice?"

"Prince Hammand!" she scolded softly.

"Sorry," sulked the prince. It was worth a try after all.

"Have some patience."

"Yes mother." He snuggled against her. "I love him so much."

"I know."

"I don't want to marry Princess Sava. I want to marry him. Asgar. Only him."

"I know."

"Patience?"

"Patience." She prayed to Akin Ra that her consoling words carried some weight.

* * * *

Miriam was not surprised when she was called to the presence of Queen Shila some days later. She prepared herself for the assault she knew would come after Hammand had recounted everything that had happened in Renakan. The Queen was at a stretch barely civil to her, she knew this was because of her closeness to Prince Hammand.

It was the sort of jealousy that Miriam never understood but which came from careless mothers who expected the undying love of a son they only looked at for about five minutes in a day. The fact that Miriam had that privilege with her son made Queen Shila dislike her immensely.

"Did you know about this?" the Queen spoke without preamble as soon as she caught sight of Miriam. She was lying on a chaise lounge with her feet up, attended by two handmaidens. One was cooling her with a fan and the other was brushing her long hair.

"About what, my Queen?" Miriam asked in feigned innocence.

"Oh, I am sure you know very well." She paused, looking sternly at the woman who had suckled her child. "Hammand and... this slave of his."

"I don't understand my Queen, did something happen? Which of his slaves?"

Queen Shila folded her arms across her chest and with a flick of her head to tell the handmaiden to stop, she sat upright. Daintily placing her feet in her gold slippers, she leaned forward.

"The great big one who Hammand tells me he bought the last time I sent him to the slave market to get me a new slave." She paused. Her eyes gleamed angrily. "My son bought himself a toy and you did not deem it fit to bring that to my attention!"

"My Queen, you must mean Asgar. He is not anything significant—aside from his looks, maybe. To your Prince Hammand, he is but a slave." She always made sure to use Hammand's title around the Queen. The memory of the repercussions for slipping in such a way still reigned clear as day in her head. She kept her own side of the agreement as always. He was not her child after all. She was just milk, according to the Queen.




My Lord My Prince Ch. 03



"I hear he does not sleep in the servants' quarters. Can you give me clarity on this?"

"He is used like a bodyguard. He sleeps at the prince's inner door. A toy wouldn't be kept outside my Queen."

"Hammand has no need for another guard. We have them littered everywhere with nothing to do!"

Miriam played the only card she had left. "It may be that he bought him because he is the vision your son had for himself. It may be that he wishes he were big and strong and magnificent and bought the slave in the hope that some of that strength would rub off on him."

Queen Shila was quiet.

Miriam knew that the Queen always worried that Prince Hammand was too effeminate, too like her. She always lamented that she wished he were born a woman, as to her all that flawless beauty and loveliness of limb was lost on a man. Had he been a woman, she would have long taken him to be betrothed to the Crown Prince of all Goren. Such beauty. Alas he was a man. To Queen Shila it was like a curse, to have your most beautiful child be a boy.

Thanks to Miriam's presence and influence, Hammand never felt that way about himself. He was just himself.

Queen Shila was lost in thought for a while as Miriam's words brought forth old memories and ever growing fears.

She spoke softly this time, her tone regretful somewhat. "I see... You may go."

Miriam turned, hiding her inward relief and walked to the door, pulling the curtain that hid it aside. As she stepped out, the Queen called out. She turned back.

"Don't think you have me fooled Miriam. I will be keeping my eyes wide open. You will do well to remember that. If that slave so much as touches my son, I will have him not just hung, but drawn and quartered with all four pieces hung at Hammand's window to remind him of his misdeeds."

Miriam nodded respectfully and left the chamber. She nearly wept with relief, as the markings on her back remained painless despite the horror of what the Queen promised. Even though there was no sign of that threat coming to pass, Miriam knew she would need to be on high alert now, with the Queen's growing interest in her son's relationship with Asgar.

She hurried to her rooms to pray.

* * * *

Asgar was still asleep so Hammand crept out of bed quietly and went into the breakfast room. He squealed in delight as he saw that the red berries he had requested over a week ago had arrived, all laid out with the rest of his breakfast. He ignored everything else and picked up the bowl of red berries, heading back to the bedchamber.

Asgar had told him he remembered the taste of the fruit from his past life so he wanted him to have another taste of it. He pushed away the niggling thought of danger at the fact that Asgar had eaten the fruit before; that he may indeed be of royal blood.

He sat beside Asgar tentatively, wondering if he should wake his love. Then Asgar shifted, moaned a bit and turned to lie on his back, settling back to sleep again. His mouth was slightly open as he breathed softly. Hammand shifted closer, bit off part of a berry and then let some of the juice drip onto those lips. It trickled in and Hammand held his breath, thrilled as Asgar smacked his lips softly without awakening.

Not very comfortable in this position on his side as it was making his hand numb, Hammand slowly slid over Asgar until he was astride him. He placed the bowl of berries by Asgar's head and slowly lay on top of him till their chins were practically touching. Much better he thought absently, beginning to feed Asgar the crushed dripping berries one by one.

Asgar appeared to be dreaming for he still did not awaken. He just kept eating what was put in his mouth and seemed to be enjoying it too. Hammand was enjoying himself immensely, being able to do this uninhibited by Asgar's powerful presence, which always made him too shy.

Some juice dribbled down Asgar's chin and Hammand licked it off, enjoying the sensation the contact caused. He started to squeeze on the fruit harder as he put it in Asgar's mouth so that the dribbling increased. He licked at Asgar's chin and cheeks and then rather than his fingers, began to put the fruit between his teeth to pass it into that mouth, licking at Asgar's lips once he had dropped the fruit in.

It was so intoxicatingly good that he began to cut up the fruit into smaller pieces to make the experience last longer and also so he could get deeper into that mouth, telling himself it was only in order to put the fruit in. Jolts of pleasure shot through the length of his body as their tongues brushed fleetingly. He never left his tongue in there long; he was too overwhelmed with the intensity of it to do that.

The prince didn't realize he had begun to grind slowly against Asgar's stomach. He had subconsciously reached down to loosen the tie of his loose trousers. This had freed his aching cock, now sticking out of his waistband and desperately encouraging the friction against the bareness of Asgar's warm stomach.

More bits of fruits went in, more licking, more jolts of pleasure shooting down his back and belly to his groin to add to the coiling pleasure already building there.

The fruits finished soon enough and this time he had no excuse for what he was doing if Asgar woke up. At this point he really didn't care anymore. Caught up in the pleasure of Asgar's tongue he continued to lash at it with his, feeling a strange fire escalating within him.

He was shaking now; unbeknownst to him it was his impending orgasm. All of a sudden, strong hands slipped into his waistband and grasped his small buttocks, kneading them and taking over the ecstatic grinding more purposefully. That did it.

"Oh... Oh... Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh."

Hammand came hard, shocked as his body expelled the seed of his pleasure in long shuddering shots all over his chest and Asgar's.

It took him a while to get himself back from that shock. He could not believe himself. What would Asgar say? There was no way he could clean him without waking him up.

There was no need for too much thought on this for Asgar was stirring. "Ham?" he whispered. Hammand cringed as he noted the surprise in his voice. "What just happened? I thought I was dreaming...?"

Hammand lifted himself off Asgar's chest, blushing when the stickiness between their bodies almost made that impossible. Shame and humiliation filled him as he met Asgar's gaze.

"I... I'm sorry..." he scrambled backwards and ran out of the room. Asgar heard the door to the bath chamber slam and lock.

The huge man looked over himself in shock, not so much at what Hammand had done but that he was able to do it in the first place.

At first he had thought it was a dream, that he liked the red berries so much that he was dreaming of his little beauty feeding them to him with his lips and then his mouth. He had loved the feel of the little man licking all over his face but it was the electricity of Hammand's tongue on his own that had actually woken him up. That, and the insistent grinding. It had taken him a while to absorb the reality but he was grabbing Ham's bum before he had come fully awake.

Asgar knew Hammand well enough to know that Asgar was not meant to wake up when he did. He was not meant to have seen Hammand in the act. He was meant to stay asleep and let Hammand enjoy him so they could keep hiding what was happening between them, what had been happening from day one.

Well that was going to end today.

Asgar was sick of hiding his feelings from Ham. He understood that others might not view their love as proper, so they could hide it from them until the time was right but they should not have to hide it from each other. He stood up, aching in his loose trousers, and went after Hammand.

The bath chamber was still locked, and he remembered the main chamber door would surely be unlocked. He rushed through the other rooms, checking for any lurking presence. Then he locked the door and returned to the bath chamber. "Ham?"

No answer.

"Ham, open the door..."

 "No... go away... I know you hate me now."

"I don't hate you my prince. Ham, open the door so we can talk about this."

"No! Go away... you think I'm unclean. I saw your face!"

"I was surprised, that's all. I was sleeping remember? How would you react if you woke up to that. Wouldn't you be surprised?"

No answer.

"Ham please, let's talk about this. There's nothing wrong with what you did."

"Ham?" He thought for a while. "You know I need to clean up too right?"

There was still no answer. Asgar leaned against the wall, unsure where to go from here.

To his relief, the lock clicked open. Prince Hammand did not open the door but had obviously unlocked it. Asgar pushed it open gently to find a crying Hammand curled up in a corner with his head buried in his thighs. He seemed to cry harder as Asgar stepped tentatively into the room.

The big man touched the water in the large bath. It was just about warm. He touched the water in the tin bucket set beside the bath and thankfully that was still steaming hot. He lifted it up and poured it into the bath.

Then he picked up a neatly folded toweling cloth and dipped it into the washbasin. Squeezing it off, he went to Ham, sure that he had not cleaned himself yet. Not saying a word, he knelt before his little man and pressed his knees down till they were flat on the bath chamber floor. Hammand kept his head down, sobbing quietly still.

Asgar gently cleaned Ham's chest of his come, ignoring the hand that feebly tried to stop him. He cleaned himself next, there was more of it on him and he saw Hammand watch him from the corner of his eye, his sobbing subsiding.

He pulled Hammand to his feet, pulling down his trousers and drawing a gasp from the small man. Hammand didn't stop him though; his shame was too much. Asgar lifted him into his arms and dropped his own trousers in the process, climbing into the bath.

"Asgar..." He had never been inside a bath with anyone before. He liked it though; he was just too ashamed of himself to enjoy it just then. Unable to help himself, the tears began again. "I'm sorry... I should not have --"

"Shhh. You did nothing wrong my prince. Don't apologize. It is fine."

They settled into it quietly, chest to chest, and Asgar soothed him by lightly massaging of his shoulders for a while. Hammand's crying soon stopped. He rested his forehead in Asgar's shoulder and simply enjoyed the massage. He felt like he would burst with love for this man.

Asgar upped his massage, slipping his hands down over the small back and reaching to knead the tense buttocks underneath the water. Hammand was surprised but he said nothing. However, he went red with shame again as he felt himself hardening and beginning to press heatedly on Asgar's taut belly. This had never happened to him in the presence of another before, only in his dreams.

"I wish I were a woman." His voice is almost inaudible.

"Why would you wish that?"

"So that you would want me..."

Asgar's hands came out of the water and cupped Hammand's face, keeping it tilted up to his. "You think I don't want you? After all this time, you would think that?" He was incredulous.

"What do you mean?" Wide eyes searched Asgar's in question.

Asgar stared at him in realization, and then he smiled. Hammand had no idea. A large hand slid back down to meet the slim cock and gently stroked it for a minute. Hammand squealed in shock, looking up wide-eyed at Asgar who was smiling sweetly.

What was going on? Did Asgar want to touch him that way?

"So much has changed within me since I met you. So much. You're not the only one that wants this," he whispered against quivering lips. "There's nothing to be ashamed of my prince." He shifted slightly so that Hammand could feel his own erection, loving the strained gasp that tore out of the small man's throat as Asgar's thick length burned against his balls.

"Were you not taught the art of consummation?"

Prince Hammand shook his head with a puzzled look on his face.

"You never did the love course?"

Another shake. "Only Jinor did. He-he was the reason we were not allowed to do it... after what happened with the adviser's daughter."

"Oh." Dear Isis, Asgar thought, his prince was even more innocent than he thought.

"Father decided it was not a good idea for us to know about such... relations. He said we would be taught when we were about to be wed. Miriam told me a few things... very little though, only so I knew what to stay away from, w-with maidens..." He blushed, but looked up at Asgar. "How do you know of this course?"

Asgar's eyes widened as he wondered same. "I don't know..."

They stared at each other for a while, ounces of surprise and fear intermingling. How could he know of the royal love course, they both thought. Then Asgar shook his head and continued to speak, pulling the little innocent closer to him. He marveled at how Hammand managed to delight his heart every turn.

"I've wanted you from the moment I saw you at the market."

"Really?" There was so much joyous surprise and delight in his voice that Asgar's heart soared. And to think he had doubted Hammand's innocence at the start?

"Yes, really." He whispered to his love. "I don't care that you are a man Ham. I don't want you to be a woman because I don't want a woman. I want you. My little, beautiful man. I want you just as you are."

"But I'm so tiny... and weak... like a woman. I can't fight. You said yourself that I'm beautiful. Only women are beautiful."

"My love," Hammand's eyes fluttered blissfully at this. "You may be tiny but you're definitely not weak. Have you forgotten how good you are with the sword? You beat the trainer slaves the last time we trained remember? And don't say its because you're the prince because I know they beat your brother earlier that day."

The prince smiled at the memory, wondering why he had forgotten that.

"And not only women are beautiful. You are a man after all my Ham. Beauty doesn't change that fact."

"So you really want me? You don't want a woman?" The prince persisted, his doubt fighting the joy with its disbelief.

"I want you. I've always wanted you."

The tears brimming in Hammand's eyes began to spill and he enveloped Asgar in a ferocious hug.

The big man chuckled, squeezing him right back. Then Hammand's thoughts suddenly went elsewhere and he tensed in terror.

"But... despite that, I shouldn't have..." Prince Hammand groaned. "What if I have...? The tests...?"

Asgar knew what Hammand had just done with him did nothing to affect his virginity. But the little innocent didn't know that of course. He wanted to hear the details of everything though.

"Tell me what happened..."

"I only wanted to give you a taste of the berries. I thought you would awaken, honest. But you just kept eating them and you looked so peaceful and... nice... as you ate them that I couldn't bring myself to stop."

"Show me..." The big man coaxed, unsatisfied.

Prince Hammand blushed and ducked his head from sight. "Asgar!"

"Show me." Asgar urged tenderly as he nudged Hammand's head with his chin. The prince lifted his head to look at the big man, then his face crumpled in embarrassment and he hid it again.

"C-close your eyes."

"Ham... its oka-"

"Just for a moment. Please, I can't show you if you're looking at me like that..."

"How am I looking at you?"

Like you want to eat me up. "Asgarrrr..."

Asgar chuckled, "Alright, fine. They're closed."

Hammand moved tentatively, still bright pink despite the closed eyes. He pushed himself up on his knees, still straddling Asgar. His hardening cock slammed against his belly as he shifted position, already aching in anticipation. Touching the big man's face lightly, he pulled Asgar's lips open until he could see his tongue. Delicious tongue.

He pressed his groin against Asgar's belly and sighed in the temporary relief it brought to that ache. Slowly, he began to lash at Asgar's tongue exactly as he had done earlier. His catching breaths soon became gasps as the shivers began all over again.

It was growing too for Asgar. He struggled to hold back but with the small hot body writhing against him, the little bottom brushing against the head of his straining cock, the tongue swirling in his mouth, the searching tongue unknowingly electrifying his, he could not.

He took over.

His large hand slid up into his prince's hair, gripping as leaned in and practically swallowed Hammand's mouth. The prince squeaked in surprise and held on as his tongue was sucked and teased. A moan rose from his throat as Asgar's other hand pressed into the small of his back and rocked him up and down so that his cock rubbed into the huge man's belly. His small hands gripped Asgar's neck and Hammand found himself moving with Asgar.

Despite wanting this so badly, now that it seemed like it was happening, he was a bit afraid. He pulled back to stare into Asgar's eyes, beginning to hyperventilate.

Large hands trailed down Hammand's trembling body as Asgar plundered his mouth again. The sensations were driving the prince crazy. His whole body was on fire. His nipples felt like bullets of electricity as they were teased and tweaked; his cock felt like a boiling volcano.

He had never given his cock as much as a thought until the day he met Asgar. With all the prodding from the regular tests and endless warnings as he grew up, he had never had any interest in exploring the pleasures of the flesh whether on his own or with another like this. There had been no one that had even remotely made him stir down there. Never.

Until Asgar.

Now he knew what all the fuss was about.

So when Asgar began to stroke his length, he lost his mind. Frantic, he squirmed and tried to push away. The fiery pleasure weakened his fight, instead driving him nuts. He returned the kiss hungrily, the stroking making him grind up to Asgar's hand and that inadvertently made him push against Asgar's hardness. His senses were in overload. He didn't know where to lean to and he couldn't form words that made sense. He couldn't think. He was a mess.

Asgar ground against the small thighs, keeping his berserk beauty in place with his powerful arm around the back of his shoulder and that hand in his hair as he drove him madder with the stroking and kissing. He nipped at Ham's earlobe and grazed down to the slim delicious neck he had been longing to taste for so long.

Ham's cries were so precious to hear. He was so overwhelmed with what was happening yet it seemed like the pleasure was increasing still. He keened at the stroking and his body began to shake maddeningly.

"Asgar," he gasped, panicking at the intensity of the sensations. His balls felt unbelievably tight... like they would surely burst. Oh Isis. "Asgar..."

"It's okay my love. You're finding your release... let go for me my love." Asgar murmured against Hammand's lips as he brushed them with his. But the strokes of his hand increased yet again. "...Just let go, don't fight it."

"Ah... ah..." Hammand was incoherent now but he couldn't stop the sounds. Asgar loved those moans though and ground up into him even harder.

Hammand's face scrunched up and a series of short gasps escaped in between their kisses. His body jerked spasmodically as he exploded into Asgar's hand, heaving as shot after shot of creamy fluid tore viciously through his loins and out of his cock.

"That's it my love... that's it." Asgar whispered before biting into that neck as he switched to stroke himself fast, shuddering as he also came long and hard within seconds.

They slid deeper into the water, wrapped in each other.

After a while Asgar washed them both and carried the small man to the main bedchamber. Much as he wanted to do so much more to him, he remembered Miriam's warning and knew he had to be patient.